Nong Plalai opened the city’s first pracharat market to offer residents good deals and merchants a chance to expand their customer base.
Mayor Pinnyo Homklan and council members welcomed Banglamung District Chief Naris Niramaiwong to the Jan. 5 opening of the “Sukjai” or “Happy” Market outside the Nong Plalai sub-district office.
The market was opened as part of the government’s Pracharat Project to help families with limited income. The first step was the introduction of electronic welfare-stipend cards. The second was to grow the grassroots economy by expanding and adding new markets run by state agencies.
More than 6,500 community markets have opened nationwide since Dec. 5, with nine different market types planned for Chonburi: “Green Market”, “Thai People’s Smile” market, “Happy Local Market”, “Bangkok Returning Happiness”, “Province’s Outstanding Products”, “Modern Trade”, “Community’s Outstanding Products”, “Unseen Civil State Market” and “Cultural Market / Cultural Road”.
Nong Plalai’s agricultural-products market already existed, but was expanded under the pracharat program. Farmers and merchants can sell there without paying to rent a stall. Vegetables, fruit and rice were the main products on sale.
The expanded market grew a large crowd on opening day. It will be held every weekend from noon to 8 p.m.
