The Ministry of Commerce conducted an on-site inspection of Rangsit Market to monitor product prices. They acknowledged that prices of pork, chicken, and packaging materials have risen due to higher transportation costs, while prepared food vendors are holding prices steady to retain customers. Plans to strengthen legal measures are under consideration.“Bottled water and plastic pellets”are to become controlled items, alongside plans to proceed withthe “Thong Fah Fair”in Kanchanaburi, offering product discounts up to 60% to alleviate living costs.
Mr. Nantapong Jiralertpong, Director of the Office of Trade Policy and Strategy (OTPS) and spokesperson for the Ministry of Commerce, along with the Department of Internal Trade and Commerce officials from Pathum Thani province, visited Rangsit Market in Pathum Thani on 24 March 2026 to closely monitor consumer goods prices and living costs. They found that overall consumer goods supply remains sufficient to meet demand, while prices vary—some have increased and others have remained stable—depending on each product's cost structure. For example, chicken and pork prices have risen due to increased transportation and raw material costs, and packaging materials have also increased following supply chain factors. However, prices of prepared foods such as curry rice, noodles, and made-to-order dishes have not risen, as vendors are maintaining prices and quality to keep their customer base.
They engaged with business operators and the public to explain the Ministry of Commerce’s measures to manage living costs, including: 1. The Thong Fah project and linking producers, wholesalers, and retailers to reduce prices reaching consumers; 2. Measures to reduce product and raw material costs to ease impacts on businesses; and 3. Close monitoring of product prices under the Price of Goods and Services Act, B.E. 2542 (1999). They also took the opportunity to gather price data to assess inflation impacts.
Additionally, the Ministry is considering strengthening legal measures by adding controlled items such as bottled drinking water and plastic pellets, as well as improving oversight of essential daily products like toilet paper, facial tissue, shampoo, detergent, sanitary napkins, soap, and dishwashing liquid to prevent inappropriate cost transfers to consumers.
“The Ministry of Commerce will closely monitor prices of goods and services to ensure they reflect actual costs, remain at appropriate levels, and supply meets public demand. If unfair sales practices, opportunistic price hikes, hoarding, or refusal to sell products are found, reports can be made via the Department of Internal Trade hotline at 1569 or at provincial commerce offices nationwide for legal action,” he stated.
Meanwhile, Mr. Jirawut Suwanart, Deputy Director-General of the Department of Internal Trade, said the department is organizing the “Thong Fah Regional Economic Promotion Fair” selling affordable goods from 23 to 25 March at the field beside the Kanchanaburi Provincial Administrative Organization office, Mueang district, Kanchanaburi province. The event has cooperation from producers, farmer groups, community enterprises, business networks, and SMEs, offering over 1,000 consumer products across 10 categories with discounts up to 60%, including instant noodles, canned fish, seasoning sauces, laundry detergents, daily necessities, kitchenware, electrical appliances, clothing, and community products, to help reduce living costs for the public.
Highlight products include:
“We invite the public to come purchase quality, affordable products at this event. The Ministry of Commerce will continue to organize these fairs nationwide, having held 11 events so far. These not only help reduce living costs but also stimulate spending, expand sales channels for businesses, and strengthen the grassroots economy,” he added.
Read more news " Government policy " here.