Phase 4 of ‘We Travel Together’ program extended until end of October

The Thai cabinet today (Tuesday) decided to extend Phase 4 of the “Rao Tiew Duay Kan” (We Travel Together) program until the end of October, because there was a residual budget of 5.5 billion baht at its original end date at the end of May.


Government Spokesman Thanakorn Wangboonkongchana said that the cabinet also agreed to add 1.5 million “entitlements”, on top of the current two million, in addition to the extension.


He said that the cabinet has instructed the Tourism Authority of Thailand, which proposed the extension of the domestic tourism promotion program, to make sure that the program is transparent and accountable and to step up publicity concerning the extension of the program.


The cabinet set aside 9 billion baht to fund the scheme. Total spending under the program by the end of May amounted to 9.3 billion baht, of which 5.8 billion was spent by people joining the scheme and the rest, 3.4 billion, was state funding, leaving a residue of 5.5 billion baht.


Despite the increase of 1.5 million “entitlements” to the Phase 4 program, Thanakorn said it is predicted that, at most, 5.1 billion is tax payer funding will be spent, still below the 5.5 billion baht.


Under this program, one “entitlement” carries a 40% discount on room rates per room per night, but not exceeding 3,000 baht per room per night. Each is eligible to ten rooms or ten nights throughout the program and discounts for food plus entrance fees to tourist spots totaling 600 baht per night of stay.


60% of the expenses are borne by individuals joining the scheme and 40% by the government through taxes, in the form of coupons.


Phase 4 of 'We Travel Together' program extended until end of October | Thai PBS World : The latest Thai news in English, News Headlines, World News and News Broadcasts in both Thai and English. We bring Thailand to the world