Mr. Kittiwat Patchimnan, Director-General of the Department of Business Development (DBD) under the Ministry of Commerce, revealed that the “Thais Helping Thais: Franchises for Career Creation Plus” project is a flagship policy prioritized by the Ministry of Commerce. It operates under the government's policy to manage the cost of living while simultaneously fostering sustainable income generation. The project offers individuals seeking a career or supplementary income an easier way to start a business through the franchise system. Serving as a mechanism to create business opportunities for the public, the project—launched in July 2026—has so far attracted 109 participating franchisors whose details are listed on the Department’s website, providing interested parties with options suited to their needs and capabilities. Meanwhile, 493 applications for franchise packages have been submitted, reflecting strong public interest in starting businesses via the franchise model, which offers established support systems and knowledge resources. These applicants will receive financial support upon the successful verification of their qualifications and documentation.

Support provided under the project covers 50 percent of the investment cost of the selected franchise package. The support is capped at 10,000 baht per person, with the goal of fostering 10,000 new livelihoods. This initiative aims to create employment opportunities and generate income for new entrepreneurs, while also stimulating hiring and driving trade in goods and services throughout the business supply chain. Furthermore, the Ministry of Commerce has collaborated with the Small and Medium Enterprise Development Bank of Thailand (SME D Bank), Krungthai Bank, the Government Savings Bank, and the Thai Credit Guarantee Corporation (TCG). This partnership enables prospective franchisees with insufficient capital to access financing at special interest rates, backed by credit guarantees, thereby lowering barriers to starting a business. Additional cooperation comes from CP Extra Public Company Limited, which is making retail space available at over 2,000 Lotus’s and Makro branches—totaling more than 10,000 locations nationwide—for program participants to sell their products rent-free for six months, helping to alleviate initial business costs. The Thai Fresh Market Association, representing over 100 markets, is also supporting the initiative by providing additional trading space for entrepreneurs. Finally, PTT Station is opening over 8,000 locations nationwide as special trading sites for franchisees.

The “Thai Chuay Thai: Franchise for Livelihood Plus” project leverages the potential of the franchise business model to create jobs and generate income, aiming to provide aspiring entrepreneurs with access to businesses that operate under established systems and standards. At the same time, the initiative helps connect franchisors with new entrepreneurs, fostering branch expansion, job creation, and local economic circulation. From an economic perspective, supporting new entrepreneurs benefits not only the franchisees themselves but also stimulates the local economy through expenditures on rent, raw materials, transportation, labor, and services from related businesses. The project is expected to generate at least 1.1 billion baht in economic circulation resulting from branch openings and business operations by participants.

The 493 applications received demonstrate a sustained public interest in establishing careers through franchise businesses. Consequently, the Department has extended the project duration until December 2027 to accommodate this demand for business ownership—particularly among those affected by floods who seek to create jobs and increase their income, transforming from aspiring professionals into new business owners. Interested individuals are invited to join the "Thai Helps Thai: Franchise for Career Creation Plus" project. For further details, please contact the Franchise Business Promotion Section, Business Promotion and Development Division, Department of Business Development (DBD), Ministry of Commerce, via the website https://ไทยช่วยไทยแฟรนไชส์.dbd.go.th, Line Official Account @franchisedbdplus, Call Center 1570, Tel. 0 2547 5953, or e-mail: franchisedbdplus@gmail.com," concluded Director-General Kittiwat. #SuperDBD #DepartmentOfBusinessDevelopment #MinistryOfCommerce

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