Noppol urges Supachai to swiftly resolve the crisis of falling prices for all types of agricultural produce, which are moving contrary to rising production costs. He warns against pursuing misguided policies and stresses the need to advance efforts to find new markets.
On 30 Apr 2026 GMT+7, Mr. Noppol Luangthongnara, Member of Parliament for Phitsanulok from the Pheu Thai Party, revealed that during the parliamentary debate on 29 April, representatives from all political parties agreed that prices of agricultural products such as coconut, durian, mangosteen, and mango have fallen to their lowest levels in many years. Particularly, rice prices have been depressed for more than three consecutive seasons, with paddy rice prices lingering between 5,500 and 6,300 baht per ton, which contrasts with rising rice cultivation costs increasing from 6,000 baht to 7,500 baht per ton.
Mr. Noppol added that this situation is because the government, especially the Ministry of Commerce, has pursued misguided policies. Instead of focusing on finding new markets for Thai products, particularly Thai rice—which still has demand despite global competition—the ministry continues to rely on old markets. The Ministry of Commerce should accelerate expansion of Thai rice markets. It is expected that in 2026, Thai rice exports will fall below 7.9 million tons due to continued reliance on traditional markets that have been served for over a decade. Meanwhile, countries in the Middle East, southern Africa, and 14 Oceanian countries still demand Thai rice, but the government has failed to promote sales or exports there, causing Thailand to lose market share in these regions.
"Furthermore, the case where Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Commerce Supachai Suthammanusorn livestreamed selling durian together with a famous online vendor represents undercutting traditional fruit market sellers. Although the durians sold at 100 baht each brought in up to 15 million baht, the damage is greater. Since Supachai acted on behalf of the government and sold durian at such discounted prices, foreign customers may view Thailand negatively. Past durian sales events have caused more harm than good because, as the leader of Thai marketing, the minister should work to benefit Thai farmers by promoting Thai products abroad to generate income nationwide. Instead, Supachai's actions increased sales for the online vendor. Such events have damaged the Thai durian market more than they have supported durian farmers across the country." Mr. Noppol stated.