Deputy PM Imposes Price Controls, Calls for Export Delay
Deputy Prime Minister Supajee Sutharapan has ordered tighter price controls and called on exporters to cut shipments by 30-50% to avert shortages during the flood crisis. She announced a Single Command Center for flood relief and said the Ministry of Defense is helping deliver supplies to hard‑hit provinces. The ministry will also monitor perishable goods, crack down on hoarding, and roll out a nationwide “Blue Flag” initiative with over 12,000 affordable‑goods points.
Supajee said the ministry will monitor perishable goods like fresh vegetables and eggs, meeting with egg producers, retailers and wholesalers to check stocks and request weekly volume reports to the Department of Internal Trade. She also asked producers and exporters to delay or reduce shipments by at least 30-50% for two to three weeks to ensure domestic supply. The ministry will intensify inspections against hoarding and price gouging, and the public can report violations via hotline 1569. In areas where floodwaters have receded, including Bangkok and surrounding provinces, the ministry will provide cleaning and repair equipment for big‑clean operations. Long‑term, it will launch the “Thai Helps Thai, Blue Flag Lowers Cost of Living” project, aiming to establish over 12,000 low‑price outlets nationwide.
