Cabinet is considering a proposal for a 600 baht monthly subsidy in a move that would expand an existing welfare programme to a further four million young children.
The social security agency and children's advocates say the move would help provide greater access to early childhood and developmental opportunities for children under six.
The National Reform Council's committee on communities, children, women, the elderly, the disabled and underprivileged people met with agencies related to child welfare and discussed the proposal at a seminar. It included representatives from the Unicef Thailand and the Thailand Development Research Institute.
The Social Development and Human Security Ministry will bring the proposal before the cabinet on Tuesday.
Deputy prime minister Yongyuth Yuthavong began pushing for the 1.2 billion baht programme last year when he suggested a universal 400 baht allowance to children up to six years old.
He said the period is crucial for children's intellectual, emotional and physical development and that poor families should begin receiving the grant next year as a pilot project.
Somchai Jitsuchon, of the TDRI, has called for an increase to 600 baht to further lighten the load on families.
Nationwide, there are 5.4 million children aged under six, but just 1.26 million of them are covered by the existing social security scheme, which grants 400 baht allowances.
The increase to 600 baht and the expansion of the coverage would raise the programme's price tag from 1.2 billion to 3.7 billion baht per year.
Former prime minister Anand Panyarachun, who is the Goodwill Ambassador for Unicef Thailand, said that early childhood development would become a foundation for the country’s long-term development. He said Thailand's is an ageing society that must prepare its children.
“So far, Thailand has several social welfare subsidies for free education, old-age allowance and the disability pension," he said.
"There is only one thing left: the children's grant.
"Though the Social Security Office pays a 400-baht allowance to each child until six years old, it covers only 1.26 million children, excluding another four million children uncovered by the existing mechanism,” Mr Anand added.
It's not clear why so many children are excluded.
Asked whether the country can afford to support a universal grant, Mr Anand said: “We have to ask why the country has money to buy military weapons and run lots of other projects.
"Compared to other state welfare programmes, the child support grant is not expensive and the figure would keep decreasing due to low birth rate.”
Bijaya Rajbhandari, the Unicef Thailand representative, welcomed the bid, saying a child investment must be conducted immediately. He said the grant should be made universal, rather than targeted, to ensure that no child in need is left behind.