Commerce Ministry steps up flood response to control prices
Thai government responds to severe floods on Sept 26, 2026. Deputy PM Supajee Suthumpun orders nationwide commerce offices to secure essential goods and restock flooded areas.
Stock photo for illustration only, not from the actual event
- Deputy Prime Minister Supajee Suthumpun orders the Ministry of Commerce to tackle severe flooding
- Strict instructions issued to prevent product shortages and unfair price hikes during the crisis
- Local commerce offices directed to collaborate with wholesalers and retailers to restock affected zones
- Citizens can report unfair pricing or hoarding to the Department of Internal Trade hotline at 1569
As heavy rainfall and severe flooding impact numerous regions across Thailand, the government is ramping up its disaster response measures. On September 26, 2026, Deputy Government Spokeswoman Lalida Periwatwattana detailed the administration's proactive strategy to mitigate the impact of the ongoing natural disaster on local communities.
At the forefront of these directives is Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Commerce Supajee Suthumpun, who has instructed commerce officials nationwide to secure adequate supplies of essential goods and maintain strict price stability. The policy centers on two core principles: preventing product shortages and ensuring affordable prices, alongside coordinating with private sector partners to deliver vital supplies directly to affected areas.
"During times when citizens are affected by floods, it is crucial to prevent shortages of essential goods or unfair price surges. Therefore, provincial commerce offices are instructed to closely monitor inventory, pricing, and distribution, and swiftly coordinate restocking wherever demand rises."
Lalida Periwatwattana
Stock photo for illustration only, not from the actual event
Furthermore, provincial commerce offices across the country have been tasked with monitoring local conditions on the ground. This includes tracking inventory levels, monitoring retail prices, assessing flood damage, and evaluating the specific needs of residents so that central authorities can coordinate rapid relief efforts and channel supplies to areas where transportation networks are disrupted.
The initiative also involves close cooperation with large-scale wholesalers, retail chains, and local business operators to maintain robust stock levels of essential commodities. If transport bottlenecks hinder distribution, local officials are required to report directly to the Ministry of Commerce so that logistical support can be mobilized immediately to keep supply chains functioning.
The Ministry of Commerce's intervention during natural disasters highlights the critical role of government oversight in preventing price gouging and supply chain failures caused by disrupted transport routes. Direct coordination with major retailers serves as an essential mechanism for stabilizing local market conditions during emergencies.
For consumers who encounter unfair pricing, deliberate hoarding, or failure to display product price tags, authorities encourage reporting violations through the Department of Internal Trade hotline at 1569.
Source: Khaosod Politics
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