NAN, Thailand – At Wat Amphawan (Muang Tai) in Sri Phum Subdistrict, Thawangpha District, Nan Province, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Commerce Phumtham Wechayachai directed an immediate response to support flood-hit regions on 25 August. He instructed Wutthikrai Leewiraphan, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Commerce, to prepare relief measures for farmers, local residents, and businesses impacted by the flooding in Northern provinces.
Phumtham emphasized that essential goods and construction materials must remain affordable to ensure the public is not adversely affected. The Internal Trade Department and Provincial Commerce Offices are closely monitoring the situation to prevent price hikes on critical items. Meetings have been held with wholesale and retail stores such as HomePro, Thai Watsadu, DoHome, Global House, and major supermarket chains, including Makro, Big C, Lotus’s, and 7-Eleven. These companies have committed to ensuring the availability of goods and facilitating uninterrupted transport into the affected areas.
Promotions on essential items, home repair materials, and cleaning products will be introduced to assist flood victims. The Provincial Commerce Offices have been instructed to enforce price labeling, with strict penalties for those violating the rules. Businesses failing to display prices face fines of up to 10,000 baht, while overpricing carries a maximum penalty of seven years in prison, a fine of up to 140,000 baht, or both.
The public is encouraged to report any unfair practices via the Department of Internal Trade’s hotline at 1569, Line app @MR.DIT, or their local Provincial Commerce Office. Once the floods subside, the Ministry of Commerce will continue to manage the cost of living, providing discounted goods through its Blue Flag initiative, which will offer essential commodities, cleaning products, and home repair materials at reduced prices.
