The Minister from the Prime Minister's Office is advancing efforts to resolve the cost of living crisis by ordering provincial governors to strengthen protection of citizens' rights following price fluctuations caused by the Middle East situation.
On 9 March 2026, Mr. Santi Piyatat, Minister attached to the Prime Minister's Office and Chair of the Consumer Protection Board, revealed after a meeting with governors nationwide that ongoing unrest in the Middle East has prompted Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul to express serious concern over possible price and service fluctuations, which some businesses might exploit to take advantage of the public.
Mr. Santi noted that more people are investing in gold due to economic conditions, but because gold prices move rapidly, he has instructed provincial governors to closely monitor local gold shops to prevent unfair business practices and incorrect product labeling, urging them to act as vigilant "ears and eyes" on behalf of consumers.
The Minister further stated that to ensure effective operations, the government has announced six proactive measures including adding 10 more complaint hotlines to the Consumer Protection Board for faster issue resolution; expanding nationwide business inspections with increased frequency on essential consumer goods like packaged rice and cooking gas; strictly controlling dormitory and rental electricity charges, prohibiting rates above the 4.88 baht per unit maximum; and encouraging stores to accept cash, credit cards, and payment apps to accommodate communication or power disruptions.
Measures also include promoting safe online shopping by encouraging purchases through platforms officially registered with the Consumer Protection Board, especially for high-value items, to ensure clear legal protection; coordinating with price-related agencies to monitor gold labeling and prevent consumer exploitation amid volatile global gold prices; and strengthening consumer resilience by intensifying campaigns to raise public awareness of rights, product quality, and standards for safer purchasing decisions.
Beyond these measures, Mr. Santi has also directed Damrongtham centers and local administrative organizations across the country to collaborate with provincial governors to seriously implement this action plan locally, focusing more on preventive measures rather than reactive solutions. Additionally, new complaint channels tailored to each province’s context will be opened to genuinely reach citizens in all areas.