Government Allocates 320M Baht Interest-Free Loans for Flood-Affected Cooperatives
The Cooperative Promotion Department has allocated over 320 million baht in interest-free loans through the Cooperative Development Fund to help cooperative members in 17 flood-affected provinces rebuild their livelihoods. The package includes debt repayment extensions for both cooperatives and their members, with a maximum loan of 30,000 baht per person. Provincial cooperative offices must submit damage assessments and needs by October 30 to receive the assistance.
The Cooperative Promotion Department is preparing over 320 million baht in interest-free loans through the Cooperative Development Fund to rehabilitate members' livelihoods after floodwaters recede, along with debt repayment extensions until the situation eases.
Deputy Director-General Narit Boonchai revealed this after chairing a meeting on disaster situation reporting and assistance from the department via the Cooperative Development Fund (CDF). The support aims to aid cooperative members affected by flooding in 17 provinces, according to the latest Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation (DDPM) report dated October 22, 2026. This is to alleviate hardship and restore liquidity for both cooperatives and members.
"For assistance to cooperatives and members, cooperatives can submit requests for debt restructuring and repayment extensions. In cases where cooperatives lend to members, they must also extend repayment periods for members to align with the extensions approved by the Fund," the Deputy Director-General disclosed.
Narit added that in terms of financial measures, the Cooperative Promotion Department supports interest-free credit for both cooperatives and members, totaling 328 million baht through the CDF for a one-year relief period. The maximum loan per person is capped at 30,000 baht. Applications are submitted through provincial cooperative offices in every province that suffered severe flooding as declared by the DDPM. Provincial cooperative offices are requested to compile and report the needs of cooperatives and members by October 30, 2026 to expedite relief and help them overcome the crisis quickly.
"Currently, we have ordered all provincial cooperative offices in flood-affected areas to survey the data. Whoever finishes first submits first. The first priority is cooperative debtors: we will restructure and extend their debts, but we must examine each contract based on existing debt obligations. For example, annual contracts during this period may be paused, but the length of the extension depends on the contract because original contracts differ across locations and must be reviewed in detail," the Deputy Director-General said.
Sarasin Panichakarn, from the Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya Provincial Cooperative, acknowledged that cooperatives, members, and farmer groups in Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya were affected by the major flooding, with occupational areas damaged in three districts: Sena, Bang Ban, and Phak Hai, though not all areas. As of now, the situation has gradually eased and is nearly back to normal. Past assistance has been received from government agencies, the private sector, and cooperative networks.
"Regarding the affected districts of Sena, Bang Ban, and Phak Hai, some members were impacted but not all. Up to this point, things are gradually improving, but some zones that sit within flood barriers normally face impacts every year. However, this year the water release was much larger, so the water spread over a wider radius," the Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya Provincial Cooperative said.
Sarasin also mentioned the relief plan for cooperatives and members, stating that the Cooperative Promotion Department has ordered provinces to conduct area surveys of all damages, to be completed by October 30, 2026, to proceed with further relief. Initially, this includes extending debt repayment periods and supporting interest-free or 1% low-interest loans for members to reinvest in their livelihoods.
