Bangkok: The Ministry of Commerce has announced that the initial phases of the "Thai Helps Thai" campaign have successfully generated over 60 million baht in sales. The campaign, conducted on May 1st and 8th, 2016, at 878 district offices nationwide, witnessed participation from more than 500,000 people. This initiative has played a crucial role in providing quality goods at affordable prices, thereby alleviating the cost of living and creating opportunities for local entrepreneurs across Thailand.
According to Thai News Agency, Mr. Poonpong Naiyanapakorn, Director-General of the Department of Business Development at the Ministry of Commerce, shared insights about the campaign, which was launched by Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul and Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Commerce Supajee Suthamphan in early May 2026. The campaign aims to make affordable goods more accessible to those in provincial areas, addressing the rising cost of living. This marks a significant milestone as it is the first time district offices nationwide have been utilized as distribution centers for public access to products.
The campaign's results revealed that on May 1st, 2026, public spending amounted to 33,738,292.45 baht, while on May 8th, 2026, it reached 27,115,998 baht, totaling 60,854,290.45 baht over the two events. The first phase alone saw nearly 284,000 participants, with the highest spending occurring in Surin, Nakhon Ratchasima, and Chiang Mai provinces, among others.
The campaign featured a wide array of products, with the best-selling items in modern trade including cooking oil, eggs, laundry products, and fabric softener. OTOP products, which are locally produced goods, included food, textiles, household items, and beverages. The initiative also provided fresh and processed food products, snacks, and agricultural items.
During the second phase, over 217,000 people participated, purchasing products from nearly 10,000 shops. Surin, Nakhon Ratchasima, and Chiang Mai provinces again topped the list in spending, with a focus on similar product categories as in the first phase.
The "Thai Helps Thai" campaign will continue with three additional sales events throughout May 2026, offering discounts of up to 58% below market prices. Citizens are encouraged to participate and benefit from the extensive range of over 3,000 consumer goods available at district offices nationwide.
The initiative is part of a broader government strategy to create equitable access to affordable, high-quality products. By involving modern wholesale and retail stores and local shops, the campaign supports both sellers and buyers, fostering economic resilience. Collaborative efforts among government, private sector, and local authorities have laid the groundwork for reducing living expenses and providing growth opportunities for Thai SME producers.
Mr. Poonpong expressed gratitude towards the Department of Provincial Administration, Ministry of Interior, and district chiefs for their collaboration in organizing these events, underscoring the campaign's importance in reducing costs and enhancing trade opportunities for local communities.