Bangkok: The Ministry of Commerce is set to propose the addition of seven more controlled products to the Cabinet in an effort to curb opportunistic price gouging, coinciding with the "Thai Helps Thai" campaign launch on April 1st. Ms. Kanittha Kangsuwanich, Deputy Spokesperson of the Ministry of Commerce, outlined the measures intended to control the cost of living amidst the energy price crisis resulting from the Middle East situation.

According to Thai News Agency, the list of controlled goods and services will be expanded from 59 to 66 items. The new items being prepared for Cabinet submission include plastic pellets, bottled water, and condiments. Additionally, essential consumer goods such as toilet paper, shampoo, sanitary pads, and fish sauce will be reclassified to require permission before any price increases. Currently, a public consultation process is ongoing, anticipated to last 7-15 days before the proposal is submitted for swift implementation. The Ministry is also poised to launch the "Thai Helps Thai" project on April 1, 2026. This initiative aims to unite manufacturers to offer discounts of up to 50% on consumer goods like soap, shampoo, and detergent, and up to 25% on food products such as rice, canned food, and instant noodles. The project will also expand the "Blue Flag Affordable Price" outlets to all districts nationwide and introduce the "Green Flag Plus Fertilizer" project to support farmers' production costs.

In terms of enforcement, the Ministry of Commerce, in partnership with provincial commerce offices, is actively monitoring commodity prices. From March 1st to 26th, they received 410 complaints, primarily concerning overpriced goods. Officials are summoning businesses to submit cost documents for detailed analysis. If any wrongdoing or speculative hoarding is detected, the highest legal penalties will be enforced. The public is encouraged to report any unfair practices to the 24-hour hotline 1569.