Thailand Lowers Vegetarian Festival Ingredient Prices
Thailand’s Internal Trade Department reported price drops for many vegetarian food ingredients ahead of the annual Vegetarian Festival from October 9 to 18, coordinating with retailers for promotions and stable essential‑item prices. Vegetable prices, which had risen after heavy rains and flooding, are beginning to ease, and officials warned they will act against any price gouging via hotline 1569.
The Director-General of the Department of Internal Trade, Wadanart Sue-iam, inspected prices in Yaowarat’s Leng Buay Eeia community for the Vegetarian Festival scheduled October 9–18. He noted that several vegetarian food ingredients have fallen in price: small shiitake mushrooms dropped from 335 to 290 baht per kilogram, large shiitake from 450 to 425 baht, Chinese flowers from 375 to 360 baht, soy protein from 165 to 160 baht, and ginkgo nuts from 95 to 92.50 baht. Sauces and seasonings remain largely unchanged. The department has teamed up with retail chains to offer promotions and lock in prices for essential festival goods. Speaking after the site visit, Wadanart said the festival atmosphere is somewhat quieter than last year but that nationwide average prices for vegetarian ingredients are down. He added that the department will reveal further measures later today at the festival’s opening at the Yung Jer Yen market. Vendors in Yaowarat pledged to keep prices fair and invited shoppers to the historic Leng Buay Eeia market, known for its variety, cleanliness, and quality. Regarding vegetables, which had been hit by heavy rain and floods, wholesale prices at central markets have begun to trend downward over the past two to three days, though some items rose slightly this morning due to festival‑day demand. Overall, vegetable prices are returning to normal levels and are expected to stabilize soon. The department also monitored vegetable farms in Don Tum district, Nakhon Pathom, to support healthy output and protect crops from disease, aiming to boost supply and keep prices steady.
