The Department of Internal Trade is preparing to invite restaurant associations to discuss a model for affordable curry and rice meals. Withayakorn Maneenat, director-general of the Department of Internal Trade, revealed that the Commerce Minister has tasked relevant agencies with finding ways to reduce living costs for people, especially low-income earners and urban residents. Since oil price cuts have not led to immediate price reductions across all goods, additional measures are being considered.

One concept under study is the creation of affordable meal menus. The Commerce Ministry is currently gathering input from the public, food business operators, associations, and relevant agencies before finalizing a workable model.

"Specific figures of 35 or 40 baht have not been set. These are merely discussion points for gathering feedback from all parties," Withayakorn said. "What matters is considering feasibility, the benefit to the public, and ensuring we do not distort market mechanisms."

The Department of Internal Trade is preparing to invite the Thai Restaurant Association to discuss implementation frameworks. Simultaneously, it has engaged with a network of fresh market operators comprising more than 50 markets to study how to link agricultural products from farmers through fresh markets to food stalls and curry shops in the area.

Withayakorn stated that this approach will emphasize linking raw materials from production sources near markets to reduce transportation costs. For example, rice from Roi Et province, which has sufficient supply and can be sold affordably, would be connected to nearby markets to keep transport costs from affecting final food prices.

Regarding government-subsidized canteens, the Commerce Ministry is considering adjusting their model to serve as another channel for offering affordable meals and products to the public. However, since these canteens in Bangkok, surrounding areas, and other provinces have different cost structures, a single pricing model cannot be applied uniformly.

For restaurants in department stores, Withayakorn noted that the ministry must consider each operator's specific costs, including rent, air conditioning, and facilities. Therefore, there is no plan to impose a food price ceiling, but rather to support activities that reduce costs or stimulate consumption, such as linking white shrimp from the South to department stores for promotional menu offerings.

"Our role is not to distort market mechanisms," Withayakorn said. "State measures will be used only temporarily to help stimulate or ease public burden. Once the system returns to normal market operations, these measures must end."

The Commerce Ministry currently has no urgent measures requiring Cabinet consideration, as some situations are already improving. The ministry continues to gather data from the public, businesses, state agencies, and monitor international cost trends carefully.

Many Essential Raw Materials Show No Price Increase

Withayakorn added that several essential raw materials have not increased in price, including white sugar, instant noodles, canned fish, and ready-to-drink milk. However, some products show a downward trend, such as sauce, Japanese soy sauce, white shrimp, and various vegetables including long beans, Chinese broccoli, and napa cabbage.

The Commerce Ministry will closely monitor prices of controlled goods, seasonal products, general merchandise, and raw materials. This will be coupled with implementation of product-linking measures and cost-of-living reduction activities over the next three months.

"Thai Helping Thai" Initiative Held Over 926 Times

Regarding the cost-of-living reduction measures, the Commerce Ministry has conducted "Thai Helping Thai" activities at national, regional, and district levels over 926 times.

Thai-foreign couple fails to settle 195,000 baht wedding catering billLegacyA catering business owner filed a police complaint, alleging that a Thai-foreign couple failed to pay 195,000 baht for catering services provided at their wedding in Nakhon Ratchasima province. The caterer, 39 year old Somsak Taemsuay, reported the matter to Pak Chong Police Station yesterday, July 16. He also spoke to several media outlets, saying he hopes to recover the outstanding payment from the couple. According to Somsak, he received the booking from a Thai woman identified only as Paphada on June 9 for a wedding reception held on July 7. He said the order covered catering for 130 tables at 2,500 baht per table, bringing the total cost to 325,000 baht. Somsak said he met Paphada at her home in Ban Rai subdistrict, Thep Sathit district, to discuss the menu and venue arrangements on June 10. Following the meeting, she paid a deposit of 130,000 baht. Photo via Facebook/ ข่าวปากช่องนิวส์ According to Somsak, he also provided complimentary beverages and arranged a live band to perform during the morning wedding ceremony because of the size of the booking. The catering company completed the service on the day of the wedding and sought payment of the remaining balance after the event. Somsak alleged that the couple asked to settle the outstanding amount the following day. However, he said the payment was never made. Photo via Facebook/ ข่าวปากช่องนิวส์ According to the caterer, Paphada later told him that her foreign husband had not provided the dowry he had promised, leaving her unable to pay the remaining 195,000 baht. After several unsuccessful attempts to recover the outstanding balance, Somsak filed a police complaint. Despite taking legal action, Somsak said he hopes the matter can be resolved through negotiation rather than court proceedings. He added that the unpaid bill has placed financial pressure on both him and his business. Police said they plan to summon the couple for questioning and discussions regarding the dispute. A date for the meeting has not yet been announced. Photo via Facebook/ ข่าวปากช่องนิวส์ The story Thai-foreign couple fails to settle 195,000 baht wedding catering bill as seen on Thaiger News.

On July 17, Pol. Lt. Gen. Achayon Kraitong, commander of the Narcotics Suppression Bureau, led a multi-agency operation in communities along Khlong Phra Khanong in partnership with the Metropolitan Police, the Office of the Narcotics Control Board, the Department of Special Investigation, Bangkok authorities, and community networks. The operation resulted in three arrests and the seizure of 3.3 grams of crystal methamphetamine, with additional community sweeps conducted. Officers also distributed essential supplies to 19 bedridden patients and elderly residents to provide relief and strengthen public morale.

Pol. Lt. Gen. Achayon explained that the "Safe Community" program builds on previous initiatives by integrating cooperation between police, government agencies, community partners, and residents in areas still affected by drug trafficking. The goal is to strengthen preventive and suppressive measures while creating mechanisms for community participation and long-term vigilance.

The commander emphasized that the program's objective extends beyond arrests and prosecution to sustaining safe neighborhoods, protecting children and youth in drug-free environments, and ensuring lasting quality of life. He called on all segments of society to participate in safeguarding their communities from drug threats, as solving the problem requires collective effort. The public is encouraged to report drug-related information to the police hotline 191, local police stations, or the narcotics hotline 1599 available 24 hours daily, with strict confidentiality assured.

Rescue teams have recovered one body from the fishing vessel Chok Kanya, which capsized at sea 3 nautical miles off Koh Kood after losing contact on June 28. Four crew members remain missing. Underwater search divers inspected the sunken vessel at 25 meters depth in normal visibility and current conditions, finding the captain's cabin door slightly ajar with no signs of disturbance inside, personal items in their normal places, and the crew quarters door wide open with a phone charger still plugged in and bedding neatly arranged. Five life jackets and two gas cylinders were found on the upper deck. Based on the undisturbed condition of belongings and the life jackets left behind, rescue teams will analyze the evidence to plan expanded search operations in a wider radius. At 1:27 p.m., volunteers recovered a male body washed ashore on Koh Kood beach in Trat province. Family members confirmed the deceased is Thit Yim, a 47-year-old Cambodian crew member from the Chok Kanya. Sea and beach search operations are ongoing.

On July 17, a male customer became agitated at a porridge shop on Ban Kaset Road in Khon Kaen municipality and hurled a bowl of noodles before sweeping condiments and containers onto the floor, alarming the owner, staff, and other customers. Security footage revealed that after the man walked back to his car, he returned because he had left his car keys on the table, then swept more items to the ground a second time, sending glass shards that struck a female customer who had just entered—though she was not seriously injured. He then drove away.

Shop owner Wisawachit, 35, posted a warning saying the incident occurred around 2:30 a.m. when three men came to order food. One appeared intoxicated, repeatedly changing his mind about what to eat. Staff politely invited him to wait at a table while his food was prepared, but he misunderstood this as being thrown out and became angry, using foul language before causing the disturbance. The owner said he submitted CCTV footage to investigators at Khon Kaen City Police Station to proceed with charges due to concern for staff and customer safety.

Employee Thipsuda, 61, explained that the intoxicated customer stood at the counter for a long time, changing orders multiple times between noodle soup, noodle stir-fry, and instant ramen. Staff politely told him they understood his order and invited him to sit and wait while his food was prepared. The customer misunderstood this as being asked to leave and became upset, repeatedly complaining he was being kicked out despite the staff not responding. When the customer's companion paid the bill, he threw a 1,000-baht note at the employee's hand and said, "Take it, and don't treat other customers like this again." The man then lifted his food bowl and dumped it on the floor, swept containers and condiments across the ground, and walked back to his car.

Realizing he had left his keys at the table, he returned, grabbed them, and swept the remaining items onto the floor again before getting in his car, staring out the window briefly, and driving away. Staff believed he was intoxicated. Thipsuda added that all employees were shocked and frightened because they did not know if the man was armed. The second sweep of condiments sent glass fragments that hit an incoming female customer, who fortunately was not seriously hurt and did not press charges. The shop owner is handling the case with police. Staff remain fearful that the man might return, and believe he may be a past customer based on his statement.