The Prime Minister kicked off the “Thai Helps Thai” project to reduce living costs by cutting product prices by 25-58%, starting 1 April. He took Suphajee along to support purchases of toothpaste, hand wash foam, rice, dishwashing liquid, and tissue paper.
On 1 April 2026 at 13:00 GMT+7 at Santi Maitri Building (Outer Rear), Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul presided over the opening of the “Thai Helps Thai” project. This initiative unites over 10 wholesale and retail chains and more than 20 major national manufacturers to release essential consumer goods at discounts up to 58% nationwide, starting today (1 April 2026). The goal is to ease the public’s living costs amid volatile energy prices.
The Prime Minister described the “Thai Helps Thai” project to reduce burdens and living costs as a significant step in public-private cooperation to promptly address citizens’ hardships. The ongoing escalating conflict in the Middle East has broadly impacted energy prices, economic conditions, and living costs in many countries, including Thailand. Aware of these effects on the population’s well-being, the government assigned the Ministry of Commerce to urgently implement measures to control prices of essential consumer goods in line with current conditions. The focus is on creating new options for consumers by partnering with modern trade operators with nationwide networks and producers, ensuring necessary goods are reasonably priced and more accessible to help ease the public’s cost of living.
The Prime Minister thanked the Minister of Commerce, Ministry of Commerce officials, and related personnel for sourcing these goods to alleviate the public’s hardships. He acknowledged strong cooperation from many producers and distributors of essential daily consumer goods, including various store house brands and second-tier brands. These products meet quality standards, offer reasonable prices accessible to consumers, and help people save money.
"The Ministry of Commerce has followed government policy to find goods whose producers agree to lower market costs, as these producers recognize the public’s difficulties and want to help ease the burden for Thai people. At the same time, this will expand the reach of these products to more consumers. Although these are second-tier brands, their quality is appropriate, assuring the public can access them. This will surely help people save money on daily necessities. The Ministry of Commerce is implementing government policy swiftly and effectively, and I thank private sector partners for demonstrating cooperation and goodwill in helping Thai people during this crisis. This collaboration not only reduces living costs but also opens market opportunities for small businesses and alternative brands to gain wider recognition. The government will continue to monitor product prices closely and is ready to take appropriate legal measures to ensure citizens can overcome these economic challenges steadily," the Prime Minister said.
Following this, the Prime Minister officially launched the “Thai Helps Thai” project to reduce burdens and living costs. He toured product booths with the Minister of Commerce and personally purchased several items such as toothpaste, hand wash foam, rice, dishwashing liquid, and tissue paper.
Attendees included Suphajee Suthumpun, Minister of Commerce; Supamas Issarapakdi, Minister attached to the Prime Minister's Office; General Kriangkrai Srirak, Deputy President of the Senate; Wuttikrai Leewiraphan, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Commerce; Poonpong Nainapakon, Director-General of the Department of Business Development; and private sector representatives from wholesale and modern retail chains, manufacturers, and distributors.
