Street Vendor Dismisses 40-Baht Rice Curry Plan as Unworkable

A curry vendor in Trang Province has criticized the government's proposed 40-baht rice-and-curry scheme, arguing it is a superficial fix that ignores regional cost differences and ingredient price hikes. Orauma Sritep, owner of Ran Yae Sip curry shop, sells curry for 20 baht per bag and single-dish rice curries for 20 baht, with two dishes for just 25 baht per plate. Under the current "Thai Helping Thai Plus" initiative, customers pay only 8 baht per bag of curry.

She expressed skepticism about the 40-baht rice-curry program, saying that even with state subsidies for ingredients, the government cannot pull it off. She cited past failed interventions—from tuk-tuk regulations to coconut price controls—as proof that the government struggles to solve deep-rooted problems. Ingredient costs have spiked sharply: her daily food preparation, which once cost 4,000 baht, now costs 5,000 baht, with separate expenses for spices and seasonings. Coconut milk and eggs in particular have become expensive.

She argued the 40-baht scheme treats only the symptom, not the cause. Since she already sells curry cheaper than the government's proposed price, she doubts the plan will work. The real solution, she said, would be for the state to lower the price of raw ingredients, gas, water, electricity, and fuel. If ingredient costs fall, vendors naturally pass savings to customers. But mandating a 40-baht price with state compensation won't work because ingredient costs vary by region and supplier.

Nitya Rodsatung, another curry vendor, said she would not join the program even if it existed. With ingredient prices rising across the board—particularly fish like grouper at 200 baht per kilogram—she cannot sell curry for 40 baht per serving. Moreover, curry prices naturally fluctuate daily based on cost; vendors charge anywhere from 30 to 60 baht per bag depending on ingredients.