Politics
Thai Cabinet Expands School Milk Program to Include Junior High Students
The Thai Cabinet has approved an extension of the school milk program to cover students from Mathayom 1 to 3, aiming to improve nutrition for 580,000 children and support local dairy farmers.
According to a report by Matichon Online on August 11, 2026, the Thai Cabinet has officially approved an expansion of the national school milk program. Previously limited to younger students, the initiative will now include children in Mathayom 1 through Mathayom 3 (grades 7–9).
This policy change is expected to benefit approximately 580,000 students across the country, with the primary goal of enhancing nutritional intake during their formative years. Beyond the health benefits for students, the government intends for this expansion to provide a stable market for local dairy farmers, thereby supporting the domestic agricultural sector.
For residents and expatriates living in Thailand, this development highlights the government's ongoing commitment to public health and agricultural subsidies. While the policy has been approved, specific details regarding the implementation timeline, the logistics of distribution to secondary schools, and the exact budget allocation for this expanded coverage remain to be confirmed by the relevant educational authorities. Observers should monitor official announcements from the Ministry of Education for further updates on when these students will begin receiving the additional milk rations.