Economy
Thai Ministry of Commerce Monitors Essential Goods Amid Flooding
Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Commerce Supajee Suthumpun has ordered provincial offices to prevent shortages and price gouging in flood-affected areas.
On September 26, 2026, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Commerce Supajee Suthumpun announced that the Ministry of Commerce is actively monitoring the supply and pricing of essential goods in response to heavy rainfall and flooding across Thailand. According to Khaosod Online, the Ministry has instructed provincial commerce offices nationwide to ensure that basic necessities remain available and affordable for residents in impacted regions.
Provincial offices are tasked with coordinating with wholesalers, retailers, and local logistics providers to maintain stock levels and report any transportation challenges to the central ministry. This initiative aims to prevent hoarding and ensure that supply chains remain functional despite the environmental conditions.
For residents and travelers, this means that while the government is working to stabilize the market, local disruptions in supply chains may still occur in severely flooded areas. Authorities have encouraged the public to report unfair pricing, hoarding, or a lack of price labeling to the Department of Internal Trade’s hotline at 1569 or to local provincial commerce offices. While the government has established these protocols to mitigate economic impact, the full extent of the supply chain disruption remains to be confirmed as weather conditions evolve.
