BANGKOK, Thailand – The Department of Business Development has met with small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in Bangkok’s Wat Pho area to address business challenges, finding that cautious consumer spending has led to decreased profits. Department Director-General, Oramon Sapthaweetham, stated the visit was a proactive effort to gather information for developing effective support plans for SMEs, which are the country’s main source of employment.
Wasan Ua-amnuaychai, CEO of a franchise company, reported that operators are facing declining consumer purchasing power, rising raw material costs, and high delivery platform fees of over 30 percent. He requested short-term stimulus measures like the “Kon La Krueng” copayment scheme and government-led negotiations to lower delivery platform fees.
Souvenir entrepreneurs in the Wat Pho area noted an economic slowdown and a decrease in Chinese tourists. They also raised concerns about low-quality foreign goods being sold alongside Thai products, which harms tourist confidence and the image of Thai goods. They have proposed a government crackdown on substandard products and more proactive tourism promotion.
Oramon affirmed that the department will promptly create comprehensive support plans based on the feedback. The department will focus on coordinating with partner agencies and encouraging entrepreneurs to adopt innovation and technology to improve efficiency. (NNT)
