Bangkok: The Ministry of Commerce is actively engaging with retailers and suppliers to advance the "Thai Helps Thai" initiative, which aims to stabilize or reduce the prices of essential goods amidst rising energy costs.
According to Thai News Agency, the ministry's efforts are centered around the "Thai Helps Thai, Managing the Cost of Living" project. This initiative is focused on selecting essential consumer goods, including house brands and alternative brands, to freeze or reduce prices, thus alleviating the public's financial burden from increased energy expenses.
Mr. Poonpong Naiyanapakorn, Director-General of the Department of Business Development, along with Mr. Witayakorn Maneenet, Director-General of the Department of Internal Trade, has outlined guidelines for the "Thai Helps Thai, Controlling the Cost of Living" project. The strategy includes offering essential consumer goods at special prices and freezing prices on selected items. This initiative targets house brands from retailers and alternative brands from major manufacturers, providing more affordable options to consumers.
The initiative categorizes target products into consumer goods, such as soap, shampoo, detergent, and toothpaste, and food products, including rice, sugar, fish sauce, cooking oil, seasoning sauces, instant noodles, and canned food. Scheduled to start in April 2026, the project will run for approximately two months, with products distributed through modern trade channels and stores nationwide.
These measures align with directives from Commerce Minister Supajee Suthamphan to urgently tackle the cost of living amidst the ongoing Middle East conflict, which has led to increased energy costs. The global market price of crude oil has surged from an average of US$69.37 per barrel in February to US$112.19 per barrel as of March 20, 2026. Concurrently, the volatility of the Thai baht is impacting the cost of importing raw materials.
The discussions have involved a range of government agencies and private sector entities, including the Thai Chamber of Commerce, the Thai Retailers Association, and the Thai Packaged Rice Association, alongside major retailers and consumer goods manufacturers, to formulate a concrete approach for implementing the project.
The Department of Business Development has solicited cooperation from manufacturers and suppliers to freeze prices and maintain ongoing promotions. Most promotions will utilize existing stock or raw materials procured before the current situation. Wholesalers and retailers will offer House Brand and alternative brands at special prices across all branches.
Trade associations and chambers of commerce are also being urged to publicize and encourage member participation, ensuring comprehensive product category coverage. The Department of Business Development has set a deadline of March 27, 2026, for businesses to submit information on products they wish to include in the project, facilitating swift implementation of the measures.
Mr. Poonpong emphasized that this collaboration will be crucial in distributing affordable goods nationwide during this period of global economic volatility, thus mitigating the living cost burden on the public.