Commerce Ministry Taps Local Fruits for 'Thai Helping Thai' Program to Boost Farm Income
The Commerce Ministry is expanding its 'Thai Helping Thai' program to include seasonal fruits like mangoes, mangosteens, and durian, creating additional sales channels for farmers while offering consumers discounted essentials at over 800 d
Deputy Permanent Secretary of Commerce Chakra Yodmani announced that he has visited project sites to monitor the 'Thai Helping Thai: Reduce Burden, Reduce Cost of Living' initiative alongside Norasak Suksomboon, Deputy Governor of Chiang Rai Province, and Suphimit Tengphe, Commerce Officer of Chiang Rai Province. The monitoring visit took place on May 8, 2026, at Wiang Chai District Office and Chiang Rai Post Office on Utrokij Road, marking the second week of the program.
The markets showed robust activity with diverse consumer products including rice, cooking oil, canned fish, instant noodles, and detergents—available in major brands, secondary brands, and private labels, all priced below standard market rates. This initiative helps reduce household expenses while making essential purchases more convenient.
Given the current season's abundance of mangoes, mangosteens, durian, and other fruits across several provinces, Commerce Minister Supratip Suthapun established a policy to include both locally-grown and sourced fruits from other regions in the program. This creates additional sales channels for farmers while promoting Thailand's 'Land of Tropical Fruits' brand.
The program also features community products at district offices and post offices to generate income and strengthen local economies. In Chiang Rai, farmers are offering mangoes and bananas at Wiang Chai District Office, while the post office accepts pre-orders for renowned provincial products like Phu Lae pineapples, lychees, and Japanese sweet potatoes. Community products include honey, pork sausages, sticky rice, crocheted items, woven baskets, and patterned fabrics.
The public is invited to purchase 'Thai Helping Thai' products—affordable essentials, fruits, and quality community goods—at over 800 district offices nationwide. The program continues every Friday throughout May 2026 on May 15, 22, and 29, from 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM, and at post offices in all provinces.
Beyond monitoring the 'Thai Helping Thai' program, officials also met with Pattavia pineapple farmers at Fon Thip Garden and a collection point in Pa Sang Subdistrict, Mae Chai District, Chiang Rai Province, alongside representatives from Mae Chai District Office, the provincial industry office, and the farmers' council. Production began in April 2026 and will peak in late May. The farmers' output is being channeled to processing factories, with MaxFood Group as the buyer committed to continuous purchases of Pattavia pineapples, ensuring stable sales and better prices for farmers.
