Supachai reveals a proactive strategy to tackle the global crisis by adding six essential items under price control and bringing over 1,000 products into the "Thai Helps Thai" campaign with discounts up to 50%, starting 1 April. The plan also accelerates the clearance of chemical fertilizers stranded in the Strait of Hormuz.
28 Mar 2026 GMT+7 Ms. Supachai Suthamphan, Minister of Commerce, said at the Meet the Press event titled "One Month of Global Crisis: Thailand's Response Plan in a Changed World" about crisis management strategies for goods. She explained that the current situation is difficult to control due to energy price volatility affecting many product prices. The Ministry of Commerce is focusing on three main areas: tightening control over goods under the Price of Goods and Services Act, which previously covered 59 items. They have decided to review the list early to add six more essential consumer goods, requiring businesses to report both quantity and quality for close monitoring.
Regarding energy products, the Ministry of Commerce plans to invite stakeholders to examine the cost structure of fuel production to review the appropriateness of refining and operational margins, even though pricing authority legally belongs to the Ministry of Energy. Meanwhile, officials conduct daily price inspections with provincial commerce offices, having visited over 4,000 locations. They are also expediting responses to about 400 consumer complaints to prevent overpricing or incorrect price labeling.
. To ease living costs, the government has secured cooperation from major manufacturers and retail and wholesale operators to launch the "Thai Helps Thai" project starting 1 April. It features over 1,000 essential products offered at special discounts averaging 25-50% to immediately reduce the burden on citizens. Additionally, there is a long-term plan to develop community products through the Department of Business Development to expand sales channels into department stores and online platforms. The Blue Flag project will be distributed to over 500 communities, and mobile Blue Flag vehicles will reach remote areas during April and May.
. Simultaneously, the Ministry of Commerce is closely coordinating with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to resolve shipping issues of upstream raw materials stuck in the Strait of Hormuz, especially chemical fertilizers and petrochemical products, as some cargo ships are still unable to depart. Discussions are planned with the Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives and farmers' associations to adjust fertilizer formulas and reduce import reliance to prevent shortages.
Regarding exports affected, such as rice shipments to Iraq, Ms. Supachai said efforts are underway to negotiate maintaining existing markets and finding replacement markets in Africa and Latin America to keep Thailand’s export stability with minimal impact.
