Thailand monitors food prices during Vegetarian Festival

The Thai government is closely monitoring commodity prices during the 2026 Vegetarian Festival, held from October 9–18. The Department of Internal Trade, under the Ministry of Commerce, is working with 45 partners to ensure fair pricing and reduce the cost of living for citizens.

Through the ‘Thai Helps Thai, Merit and Value’ initiative, various retailers and wholesalers are offering promotions with discounts of up to 50% on 852 items, including fresh vegetables, future food products, and prepared meals. This effort aims to distribute agricultural produce from farmers to markets effectively.

Authorities have issued a stern warning to vendors against price gouging. Those found unfairly increasing prices without reasonable cause face severe legal penalties, including up to seven years in prison, fines of up to 140,000 baht, or both. While heavy rains and flooding previously caused vegetable prices to rise due to supply shortages, officials report that wholesale prices at central markets have begun to trend downward.