The government has instructed commerce officials to strictly monitor product prices during the ongoing Vegetarian Festival to prevent price gouging and help ease the public’s cost of living, official sources said yesterday.
Deputy Government Spokesperson Ploythalay Laksameesaengjan announced that the Ministry of Commerce’s Department of Internal Trade (DIT) has been dispatched to check markets and liaise with vendors throughout the festival period, which runs from October 9 to 18.
To help reduce living expenses, the DIT has launched the "Thai Helps Thai: Satiated, Blessed, and Worthy Vegetarian Festival 2026" campaign in collaboration with 45 major partners.
The initiative connects fresh produce suppliers directly to four major central wholesale markets, including Talaad Thai, Simummuang, Srimuang, and Lanmuang.
Under the program, retail and wholesale chains as well as convenience stores across the nation are offering discounts of up to 50% on 697 items, alongside 51 future food products and over 250 participating vegetarian food outlets.
Addressing concerns over vegetable prices, Ploythalay noted that while heavy rains and widespread flooding recently damaged crops and pushed wholesale prices up, the supply situation is beginning to ease. Wholesale prices at central markets over the past two to three days have shown a downward trend, with supply expected to continue improving.
However, the government has warned traders against unjustified price increases or failing to clearly display price tags.
Under the Act on Prices of Goods and Services, violators face severe legal action, including a maximum penalty of up to seven years in prison, a fine of up to 140,000 baht, or both.
Consumers who spot unfair pricing or hoarding can lodge complaints directly via the DIT hotline at 1569.
Alongside price monitoring, the government also advised festival participants to maintain a balanced diet by opting for diverse plant-based proteins, eating plenty of fruits and vegetables, and moderating their intake of sodium, fats, and highly processed mock meats to avoid non-communicable diseases (NCDs).
