A proposal for 1.4 billion baht will be submitted to the Cabinet for consideration by the Ministry of Commerce to lower the cost of life for Thais amid increasing prices for essential goods.
In a Tuesday cabinet meeting, the ministry plans to present an allocation of 1.4 billion baht to fund programs and new measures to help people reduce the cost of living for three months, according to Commerce Minister Jurin Laksanawisit. He said Prime Minister Gen. Prayuth had expressed interest in the proposal and asked for more details.
The delivery stations will conduct discount campaigns across the country, offering essential products such as chicken, pork, eggs and other essentials at public yards, mobile grocery stores, fresh markets, department stores, convenience stores and gas stations, he said. The department will also expand Blue Flag’s low-cost program to deliver essential products and goods to communities across the country.
The ministry plans to boost product distribution by leveraging its mobile commercial vehicle program that offers discounts to consumers. In the meantime, authorities are closely monitoring the market and will take legal action against traders who are taking advantage of the situation or stockpiling.
Ministry of Internal Trade Director General Wattanasak Sur-iam said the ministry would negotiate with manufacturers and traders to maintain product prices. He also said officials were working to delay measures to raise product prices to ease the burden on consumers. In addition, the ministry intends to impose temporary control on product prices through the Central Goods and Services Price Committee if the prices of goods and services are deemed abnormally high.
