Thai Commerce Ministry urges 30–50% export cuts for domestic supply
The Commerce Ministry is monitoring essential goods and preparing clean-up support, with plans for low-cost sales at more than 12,000 locations.
- A "Single Command Centre" has been established to coordinate the delivery of relief bags and essential goods to flood victims, using military vehicles in deeply flooded areas.
- The ministry is working to prevent shortages and price gouging by monitoring essential goods, asking businesses to temporarily reduce exports by 30-50%, and inspecting for hoarding.
- Post-flood support includes preparing cleaning supplies for recovery efforts and planning a nationwide "Blue Flag" program to sell affordable goods at over 12,000 locations.
Commerce Minister Suphajee Suthumpun outlined assistance for flood victims on Sunday (October 4, 2026), saying the Ministry of Commerce had established a Single Command Centre at the Office of the Permanent Secretary on September 25.
The centre receives information on local needs from provincial commerce offices nationwide and coordinates work among several departments and outside agencies.
In areas such as Prachin Buri and Sa Kaeo, where floodwater is too deep for ordinary vehicles, the ministry has coordinated with the Ministry of Defence to obtain high-clearance vehicles to urgently deliver relief bags and essential consumer goods to people in Kabin Buri district.
Tighter price monitoring and calls for 30–50% export cuts
Suphajee said the ministry was prioritising the monitoring of controlled goods, particularly perishables such as fresh vegetables and eggs, which could face shortages or price increases this week.
It had invited the Layer Farmer Association and retail and wholesale stores to discuss stock levels, asking them to submit weekly stock figures to the Department of Internal Trade.
The ministry had also asked businesses and producers to consider reducing exports by 30–50% for two to three weeks to retain sufficient supplies to meet people’s needs throughout the country.
The ministry has deployed officials to carry out strict inspections of businesses hoarding goods or exploiting the situation to charge excessively high prices.
It urged people who notice signs of unfair price rises to report them immediately through the 1569 hotline so officials can take firm action.
Clean-up preparations and plans for 12,000 Blue Flag sales locations nationwide
In parts of Bangkok and surrounding provinces where floodwater has begun to recede, the ministry is preparing cleaning supplies and repair equipment to support Big Cleaning activities with local residents.
Ministry teams are ready to provide full assistance.
For longer-term assistance, the ministry is preparing a Thais Help Thais programme to reduce living costs through Blue Flag sales, with plans to sell affordable goods at more than 12,000 locations in every region.
The aim is to ease household expenses and hardship once the flood crisis subsides.
The ministry is ready to serve as the main supporting agency in addressing shortages of consumer goods and to coordinate with all ministries on plans for the sustainable recovery of people’s living conditions after floodwater recedes.
