The Commerce Ministry has initiated a three-month suspension of rent collection for food and market stalls, including those managed by government agencies, across the country in advance of the upcoming digital wallet scheme.
Following discussions with Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin and other relevant ministries on August 2, Commerce Minister Phumtham Wechayachai shared updates on the economic recovery initiative ahead of the launch of the digital wallet program in the fourth quarter. He noted that the Commerce Ministry is taking steps to assist the public and small business owners by waiving monthly rental fees for operators at 43 welfare food courts, 993 market stalls, and 1,047 shops supervised by the Commerce Ministry for three months.
This suspension of rental fees also extends to commercial markets managed by the Interior Ministry, Public Health Ministry, Finance Ministry, Agriculture and Cooperatives Ministry, and Natural Resources and Environment Ministry, as well as significant markets like Chatuchak Weekend Market, Thonburi Market, and those located beneath expressways within the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration.
Provincial commercial offices, in partnership with government and private sectors, are preparing designated sales points to assist small entrepreneurs in selling consumer goods at low prices at least once a month across all 76 provinces for the next three months.
These events will be held in various locations, such as city halls, tourist attractions, industrial estates, petrol stations, universities, retail and wholesale store entrances, and in front of local department stores. They will sell Thong Fah (Blue Flag) items or low-priced products to help mitigate living costs.
Available products will include items such as eggs, sugar, cooking oil, rice, instant noodles, canned fish, seasonings, detergents, electrical appliances, and clothing.
The Commerce Ministry is also collaborating with the Interior Ministry to deploy military vehicles as Thong Fah mobile units to provide affordable consumer goods in remote areas.
Furthermore, plans are underway to partner with entrepreneurs who are members of the Thai Chamber of Commerce and the Federation of Thai Industries, including manufacturers, wholesalers, and local retailers, to organize large-scale product sales events nationwide aimed at relieving living expenses.
“It is anticipated that while the government rolls out a project to provide 10,000 baht via the digital wallet in the fourth quarter, this initiative will help lower expenses, boost income, and invigorate the grassroots economy,” stated Mr. Phumtham.
