Supachai paid respects to the sacred shrine at the Government House after Songkran, sharing that she prayed for success in her work. She admitted that the current workload feels more pressured and asked everyone to cooperate to get through the crisis together. She also took time to visit the media workspace called "Sparrow's Nest" and expressed a wish to engage more with the press.
At 10:30 a.m. on 16 April 2026 GMT+7, Ms. Supachai Suthamphan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Commerce, paid respects at the guardian spirit shrine and ancestral shrine, the sacred sites of the Government House, before beginning her duties there as Deputy Prime Minister.
Ms. Supachai stated that she did not ask for any specific blessings but intends to perform her duties to the best of her ability for the country and its people. She requested support and prayers to help her succeed as planned. She acknowledged that holding the Deputy Prime Minister position amid multiple overlapping crises naturally brings pressure. She is determined to fulfill her role well and to adjust working methods for integrated collaboration with relevant ministries to address problems effectively in the short, medium, and long term.
Regarding the Ministry of Commerce's measures, she said they focus on managing the cost of living by monitoring essential consumer goods under price control. If prices fluctuate, the ministry will intervene to ensure fairness for both consumers and businesses. They have introduced special-priced products under the "Thai Help Thai" project, launched on 1 April, in cooperation with major wholesalers nationwide to offer affordable options for the public. SMEs have been incorporated into an online platform to enhance their capabilities. With exports currently strained and some areas facing difficulties, new markets must be found. The ministry is doing its utmost to ensure Thailand generates income during this crisis.
After the interview, Ms. Supachai visited the media workspace known as the "Sparrow's Nest." She said that now, fully engaged in government work at the Government House, she wishes to communicate and converse more with the media. If there are important issues or topics for which the press seeks information or questions, they can coordinate through her spokesperson team or secretariat. She is willing to provide information and exchange views, preferring this setting over having the media waiting and standing on the stairs. She wants to spend more time with the press in this manner.