The Department of Internal Trade clarified to the public not to panic-buy food and drinking water after store sales surged 20%. It ordered stores to prepare sufficient stock to meet public demand, emphasizing that the situation remains normal and that efforts to reduce living costs will continue.
Mr. Watthanasak Suea-iem, Director-General of the Department of Internal Trade, disclosed regarding the campaign by the Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation (DDPM) and the National Security Council (NSC) urging people to prepare a “72-hour emergency bag” (3 days) to handle emergencies or disasters that after discussions with DDPM, it was found that the situation in Thailand is not worrisome or alarming enough to prompt panic buying. However, the department has not been complacent; it has consulted with producers and retailers to increase safety stock to adequately meet rising demand. From late October to early November 2023, coinciding with salary payments and state welfare card top-ups, and timely public awareness, demand for food and beverages increased by an average of 5-20%, including rice, dried food, canned goods, dairy products, and drinking water. The department will continue to closely monitor the situation.
“Inquiries with stores confirmed increased purchases in certain product groups, partly due to salary payments prompting households to stock up, and some buying in response to news reports, but not excessively. The department has instructed stores to maintain sufficient safety stock and keep shelves replenished. All stores have been notified and are implementing these measures. Producers and distributors are also prepared to produce and deliver. The public can be reassured to stay aware but not panic. The department will continue close monitoring.”
Regarding the implementation of the “Thai Help Thai, Blue Flag Cost Reduction” project through 3,036 affordable product outlets nationwide over 90 days, in cooperation with 27 private sector partners offering discounts on 4,223 items up to 78% during October-November 2023, it has so far organized 928 sales events with 85.67 million baht in turnover, helping reduce living costs by over 30 million baht. This excludes cost reductions from general store sales nationwide. The department also closely monitors energy costs, transportation fees, and product prices, coordinating with producers and distributors to stabilize prices as long as possible to ease the public’s cost burden.
Additionally, the department has consulted with producers and wholesale and retail stores to prepare New Year gifts for the public under the “Thai Help Thai New Year Mega Sale” project, offering significant price cuts to ease living costs. Currently, operators are determining which products to discount and by how much, with details expected soon.
As for fresh food prices, pork, chicken, and eggs remain stable compared to the previous week, while some fresh vegetables have dropped significantly compared to flood periods, though others, especially delicate herbs like basil, holy basil, wild betel leaf bush, green onions, and coriander, have risen due to heavy rains recently.
Meanwhile, off-season longan from the eastern region has begun reaching markets. The department plans to open sales points at stores, government centers, and large organizations to stimulate consumption, link sales through wholesale markets, fresh markets, and Blue Flag stores, coordinate buyers to purchase, and establish points to buy longan at market-leading prices. It will also support 10-kilogram boxes with delivery by Thailand Post and 3- and 5-kilogram baskets to help farmers sell both offline and online.
Mr. Watthanasak added on the paddy rice price situation that most prices are favorable compared to last year, with
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