BANGKOK – Thailand’s cabinet today has allocated ฿1.48 billion (RM187.1 million) from its central budget to fund a programme that offers essential products at lower prices to help reduce pressure from high cost of living.
Government spokesperson Thanakorn Wangboonkongchana said 3,000 outlets including convenience stores, local malls, and markets nationwide will join the three-month programme.
He said at least 50 mobile units will also sell products at reduced prices in the communities in Bangkok and nearby provinces.
“The programme is proposed by the Commerce Ministry in an effort by the government to prevent hikes in prices of essential goods.
“The discounted products include farm products such as chicken, eggs, pork and essential products from local wholesale suppliers,” he said at a press conference here.
He added that related agencies are also taking actions to fix rising prices of goods to reduce the burden of the people.
Last week, the Bank of Thailand said the inflation has remained at between 1% to 3% this year.
Amid shortage in supplies of pigs in the kingdom, pork prices have skyrocketed to more than ฿200 per kg over the past few weeks. This prompted a price hike of other goods such as chicken and eggs. – Bernama, January 18, 2022
