Politics
Thai Cabinet Expands School Milk Program to Include Junior High Students
The Thai government has approved an expansion of the school milk program to cover students up to Grade 9, aiming to improve nutrition and support the domestic dairy industry.
On August 11, 2026, the Thai Cabinet approved an expansion of the national school milk program, which provides nutritional supplements to students. According to Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Cooperatives Watcharapon Khaokham, the program will now include students from Grade 7 to Grade 9 (Matthayom 1–3) in opportunity-expansion schools for the first time.
This policy change is scheduled to take effect in the second semester of the 2026 academic year, starting in November 2026. The expansion is expected to reach approximately 6.6 million students, an increase from the previous 6 million. The government stated that the initiative is designed to enhance the physical and cognitive development of youth, reduce educational inequality for low-income families in remote areas, and alleviate household expenses. Furthermore, the program aims to bolster the domestic dairy industry by increasing the demand for raw milk.
For residents and those interested in Thai social policy, this expansion represents a significant investment in public health and educational infrastructure. While the government has confirmed the implementation timeline and the target demographic, details regarding the specific procurement processes for the additional milk supply and the long-term budgetary impact on the agricultural sector remain to be fully observed as the program rolls out later this year.