Commerce Ministry Launches Nine Priority Initiatives To Combat Illegal Foreign Capital
Thailand's Commerce Ministry has launched nine initiatives to address illegal foreign capital and economic challenges, with the first priority focused on controlling living costs through price regulations and expanded online commerce for lo
Poonpong Naiyanaphakon, director-general of the Department of Business Development and incoming Permanent Secretary of the Commerce Ministry, outlined nine urgent initiatives following his official appointment on October 1, 2026. These priorities respond to rapidly evolving global trade dynamics shaped by geopolitical impacts, technological influence, environmental concerns, and shifting labor and market demand from demographic changes.
The first initiative focuses on managing living costs through legal measures and trade mechanisms to prevent excessive prices for essential goods and services, including price controls, subsidized price-reduction programs such as "Thailand Helps Thailand, Reduce Burden and Living Costs," and expanded online commerce channels for Thai entrepreneurs.
The second initiative establishes fair trade practices by regulating economic activities with transparency and preventing large corporations from exploiting or excluding small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). It also protects farmers from being forced to sell agricultural products at prices below cost.
The third initiative creates opportunities and strengthens SMEs, which form the foundation of Thailand's economy. Thai SMEs currently represent only 14% of total export value, leaving significant room for growth. The ministry will integrate efforts across all departments to support SMEs in entering global supply chains and e-commerce platforms based on their individual capacity levels, with particular support for ready-to-export SMEs.
Currently, Thailand has 3.28 million SMEs, comprising 99.5% of all businesses, employing 13 million people and generating 34.8% of GDP. In the first seven months of 2026, SME exports totaled 32.8 billion US dollars, representing 14.2% of total exports. The Commerce Ministry will mentor and support SME startups and community shops through four key strategies: strengthening digital and e-commerce capabilities, expanding market channels through online platforms, improving business management and financial systems, and elevating traditional retail operations.
