Starting May 15th, the government will deploy over 3,800 mobile vendors to sell affordable goods directly to people's homes.

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The government has launched the "Thai Helps Thai, Reduce the Burden of Living: Mobile Shops Reduce Prices to Help the People" project, offering reduced prices on 14 essential items to help 4 million households save at least 280 million baht in living costs. The project will run from May 15 to June 16, 2569, with an expected participation of 3,800 mobile shops.

12 May 2569 Mr. Anutin Charnvirakul, Prime Minister and Minister of Interior He presided over the opening ceremony of the project. "Thai people helping Thai people, reducing the burden of living costs: Mobile commerce trucks lower prices to help the public." with Ms. Supajee Suthamphan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Commerce. I also attended the opening ceremony on Tuesday, May 12, 2569, at the Santi Maitri Building, Government House.

Prime Minister and Minister of Interior Anutin Charnvirakul revealed after presiding over the opening ceremony of the project that the government prioritizes managing the cost of living for the people, especially those in communities and remote areas who may have limited access to sources of affordable goods. He has assigned the Ministry of Commerce, through the Department of Internal Trade, to integrate cooperation with relevant agencies. The Ministry of Commerce, through the Department of Internal Trade, is responsible for managing the project, coordinating with manufacturers, and determining the list and prices of essential goods.

While the Ministry of Interior, through the Department of Provincial Administration, supports the selection and coordination of mobile vendors and community shops in the areas, the Ministry of Digital Economy and Society, through Thailand Post Co., Ltd., supports the network of sales points and distribution points to ensure that special-priced products are accessible to the public quickly and widely.

The Prime Minister said that the project... "Thai people helping Thai people, reducing the burden of living costs: Mobile commerce trucks lower prices to help the public." The initiative aims to run for a continuous period of three months, aligning with government economic stimulus measures and efforts to reduce the cost of living, such as the "Half-Price Plus" project. The first phase will run from May 15th to June 14th, 2026, for a total of 30 days.

Fourteen essential consumer goods from 12 vendors are being sold at special prices through community channels including mobile vendors, community shops, and Thailand Post service points. This aims to make essential goods more accessible to the public, reduce household expenses, and provide more shopping options closer to home.

“The government expects this project to save people at least 280 million baht in living costs and aims to benefit at least 4 million households nationwide over the three-month project period. The core of the project is bringing affordable goods to community areas through mobile retail trucks, which are already close to the people, reducing the need for people to travel long distances and decreasing expenses for both goods and transportation.”

side Ms. Supajee Suthamphan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Commerce. It was stated that the Ministry of Commerce, through the Department of Internal Trade, has been assigned to manage the project overall, coordinate with manufacturers, determine the product list, pricing, operational guidelines, and monitor and evaluate the project to ensure that the public truly benefits from the special-priced goods. The products in the project are 14 essential consumer goods used daily, which will directly help reduce household expenses.

Ms. Supajee further stated that, initially, there will be 3,800 mobile vendor trucks nationwide, 946 sales points through provincial and district post offices, and 129 community shops. This network will be crucial in bringing special-priced products to the public, especially in communities, villages, and areas where people have difficulty accessing retail stores or large sales outlets.

Furthermore, the project supports mobile vendors in continuing to sell their products by providing fuel subsidies through PTT Fleet Cards or Top-up Cards at gas stations.

For selected mobile vendors, categorized by vehicle size, motorcycles receive a subsidy of 250 baht per week or 1,000 baht per month; tricycles receive 375 baht per week or 1,500 baht per month; and pickup trucks receive 750 baht per week or 3,000 baht per month. This support is provided when a minimum quantity of goods is sold, aiming to reduce operating costs and enable mobile vendors to continuously sell special-priced products in local communities.

In addition, participants in the program received starter kits to test the market and help reduce the risk of launching their products. Pickup trucks received a starter kit containing 14 items (64 pieces) worth approximately 1,800 baht; three-wheeled vehicles received a starter kit containing 14 items (37 pieces) worth approximately 1,000 baht; and motorcycles received a starter kit containing 8 items (22 pieces) worth approximately 450 baht.

Participants in the project are required to sell goods at the specified price and display the price tag to prevent price gouging and to assure the public that they are receiving goods at a special price, in accordance with the project's intention.

This collaboration reflects the integrated work of the public and private sectors. The Ministry of Interior, through the Department of Provincial Administration, plays a crucial role in publicizing, recruiting, and selecting mobile vendors and community shops in the area. Meanwhile, the Ministry of Digital Economy and Society, through Thailand Post, provides sales space and serves as a collection and distribution point for mobile vendors and community shops. Product manufacturers contribute by offering special prices to ensure the project's successful implementation.

“This project not only helps reduce prices for the public but also increases access to essential goods in communities, especially for people living far from markets or large retail stores. At the same time, it increases income opportunities for mobile vendors and community shops, which are fundamental economic mechanisms close to the people. The Ministry of Commerce will closely monitor the project's implementation to ensure that the public receives maximum benefit.”

Read news related to the economic situation across Thailand here.





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