PM Visits Bang Yai to Inspect 'Thai Helping Thai' Products During Nationwide Launch, Deputy PM Pushes Shopping Cart
Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul launched the 'Thai Helping Thai' affordable goods program nationwide, beginning with a visit to Bang Yai Market in Nonthaburi where he purchased discounted items with assistance from local lawmakers. The initiative aims to reduce living costs for Thai citizens and launched simultaneously in four provinces including Songkhla, Sisaket, Trat, and Chiang Mai. The PM confirmed the official launch date as May 1, 2026, and conducted monitoring calls to ensure proper implementation and adequate product availability.
Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul made a surprise visit to Bang Yai Market in Nonthaburi province to inspect the 'Thai Helping Thai' affordable goods initiative on its opening day. The program launched with Deputy PM Suphachee Suthammapant and Commerce Minister Suphamas Israpakdi in attendance, alongside Nonthaburi MP Suthat Meesiri from the Pheu Thai party.
During the visit, vendors and residents eagerly approached the PM for photos. One vendor took the opportunity to voice concerns about affordability, asking if the government had become wealthy enough to share assistance. When the PM arrived at the venue, he toured the booths and purchased various discounted items including tissue paper, oyster sauce, dish soap, cooking oil, rice, and instant noodles. MP Suthat assisted by pushing the PM's shopping cart throughout, characterizing the event as non-partisan assistance for local citizens.
The PM emphasized that this was not about political opposition versus government, but rather public service for community benefit. He greeted market vendors, sampled products including organic fish paste with rice, durian, and mango, and encouraged residents to take advantage of the affordable prices.
Following the Bang Yai visit, PM Anutin phoned in to check progress on the program's simultaneous launches in four provinces: Songkhla, Sisaket, Trat, and Chiang Mai. In his calls, he stressed the importance of maintaining authentic pricing, emphasized adequate supply, and instructed officials to ensure widespread public access. He mentioned having already spent 30% of his monthly salary on the program and requested diligent oversight and coordination between provincial commerce offices and central authorities.