Commerce Ministry Inspects School Uniform Shops, Emphasizes Price Controls and Clear Labeling, Encourages Parents to Use Promotions with Up to 86% Discounts
Thailand's Commerce Ministry is inspecting school uniform shops to ensure stable pricing and clear labeling ahead of the new school term, with participating retailers offering discounts up to 86% through May 31.
The Department of Internal Trade under the Ministry of Commerce is actively managing prices for school uniforms and educational supplies during the school term opening, despite increased transportation costs and reduced consumer spending due to economic conditions. Most business operators have maintained prices similar to the previous year.
On May 11, 2569, Deputy Director-General Jirawut Suvannaaj revealed details following field inspections of major school uniform retailers in Bangkok's Thonburi district. The department launched the "Thai Help Thai Plus: Big School Opening, Easy on the Wallet - Back to School 2026" program, with multiple business sectors cooperating to reduce prices for school uniforms and related educational supplies.
The department visited major retailers including Thonburi Education Company, S. Chang Education shop, and Taraso department store. These establishments are helping reduce parent expenses through the program while maintaining original pricing, comparable to the previous year. Despite increased transportation costs, items from existing inventory remain at the same price. Additionally, stores offer promotional discounts on educational supplies and services such as free embroidery or school initials.
According to data collected in early May across Bangkok's department stores, distributors, and regular shops, most school uniform prices remain stable compared to the previous year. Examples include Samjai Nueuk boys' shirts at 215-360 baht per item, Thomson boys' trousers at 325-375 baht, and Samjai Nueuk girls' shirts at 165-360 baht. Some items showed slight increases, such as Nom Chit boys' shirts rising from 139-300 baht to 179-290 baht, while others decreased, like Taraso boys' trousers dropping from 260-375 baht to 238-350 baht.
Deputy Director-General Jirawut noted that consumer purchasing power has declined this year due to economic conditions and rising living costs, causing many families to be more cautious about spending. Some reuse old uniforms or buy only essentials. The department is therefore prioritizing both price controls and promotions to alleviate back-to-school expenses.
The "Thai Help Thai Plus: Big School Opening, Easy on the Wallet - Back to School 2026" program runs from April 30 to May 31, 2569, with 49 participating merchants covering over 1,000 education-related products and services with discounts up to 86%. This is expected to reduce household expenses by at least 300 million baht.
For parents in other provinces, the Department of Internal Trade is collaborating with provincial commerce offices to organize similar "Thai Help Thai Plus: Back to School 2026" activities in areas coordinated with the Ministry of Education, including Chachoengsao, Phetchabun, and Mae Hong Son provinces, making affordable school supplies more accessible.
