Bangkok: The Ministry of Commerce is set to launch the "Thai Helps Thai: Reduce the Burden, Lower the Cost of Living" campaign on April 1st, aimed at selling affordable goods to alleviate the public's cost of living. Over 1,000 consumer goods will be included in the campaign, offering discounts of up to 50% to help both consumers and small businesses manage expenses amid the ongoing oil price crisis.

According to Thai News Agency, Mr. Poonpong Naiyanapakorn, Director-General of the Department of Business Development, was tasked by Ms. Supajee Suthamphan, Minister of Commerce, to ensure the readiness of retail stores participating in the project. The campaign will involve a collaboration between the Ministry of Commerce, retailers, and manufacturers to provide essential daily necessities at special prices. Notable participants include Makro, Lotus, Tops, Big C, Foodland, The Mall GO Wholesale, and 7-Eleven, ensuring widespread access through retail, wholesale, and convenience store channels.

Mr. Poonpong highlighted that the project targets more than 1,000 items, focusing on house brands and alternative brands, which are usually cheaper than premium brands. Some items will be discounted by up to 50%, providing more options for consumers and small businesses that rely on these goods for resale, such as restaurants and food stalls.

Inspections at Makro's Nakhon In branch in Nonthaburi province revealed significant price reductions on key items like fish sauce, palm oil, and canned fish. Similar price cuts were observed at Lotus's Nakhon In branch, with discounts on jasmine rice and palm oil, alongside purchase limits to prevent shortages. Reporters from Thai News Agency also noted competitive pricing on pork and chicken eggs, aligning with general market prices.

Mr. Poonpong emphasized the project's broader objective of offering lesser-known brands that meet legal standards and are comparable in quality to main brands at significantly reduced prices. The initiative aims to provide consumers with new choices while supporting small businesses.

The campaign will officially begin on April 1st, with its logo displayed prominently at sales points to guide consumers. The private sector's involvement underlines a collective effort to mitigate living costs during the energy crisis, benefiting both consumers and small businesses by lowering purchase prices for ingredients and potentially slowing food price inflation.

While the project's duration will depend on ongoing circumstances and private sector collaboration, it is expected to continue beyond its initial launch. Though quantitative results are yet to be assessed, the substantial discounts are anticipated to effectively reduce expenses, enhance purchasing power, and support the public's cost of living.