Thailand Allocates 300 Million Baht to Lower Consumer Prices
Thailand allocated 300 million baht to help lower consumer prices and distribute affordable goods to flood-affected areas, with the Commerce Ministry monitoring retailers for price gouging.
Deputy Prime Minister and Commerce Minister Supachai Sudthammapanit revealed strategies to address flooding impacts on commodity prices and supply shortages on September 28, 2026. She instructed all Commerce Ministry units nationwide to monitor price displays and ensure goods remain at appropriate levels, with no opportunity for abnormal price increases. The public can report overpriced goods by calling the hotline 1569.
The Commerce Ministry has established a Single Command Center led by Colonel Chakra Yodmani, Deputy Permanent Secretary of Commerce, to consolidate complaints about product shortages and coordinate with the Defence Ministry to deploy military trucks for transporting essential goods. Fresh produce is being sent to Kabinburi district for distribution to Saraburi province, while fresh and dried goods are being delivered to over 30,000 affected residents in Bangkok's Lat Krabang district.
Concerned about weakening consumer spending in the fourth quarter due to flooding and oil price impacts, Deputy Prime Minister Ek Niti Nitithaprayat and Finance Minister approved an initial 300 million baht central budget allocation to launch an affordable consumer goods distribution programme. This is a continuation of the "Thai Help Thai Reduce Living Cost Burden" project the Commerce Ministry has run since April. Supachai confirmed the priority is distributing affordable goods to flood-affected areas first, with the cabinet approval process underway to sustain price controls and public assistance measures.
