BANGKOK, Thailand – Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul has launched a large public–private campaign to help southern residents recovering from severe flooding. The effort, called “United Thai Hearts—Reviving the South,” is coordinated by the Ministry of Commerce and involves more than 30 companies working with government agencies to support households, local businesses, and the broader regional economy.
The campaign’s first phase lowers the cost of essential goods, with 16 major manufacturers discounting daily-use items and food products by up to 50 percent. Retailers, including Makro, Lotus’s, Big C, Tops Go Wholesale, The Mall Group, CJ Express, 7-Eleven, and members of the Thai Retailers Association, are reducing prices on necessities, cleaning supplies, and select household appliances.
The second phase offers steep reductions on construction materials for homes damaged by the floods. Six major building-supply chains—SCG, Thai Watsadu, HomePro, DoHome, Global House, and Mega Home—are offering discounts of up to 88 percent to help families manage repair costs.
The third phase covers vehicle-repair assistance. Auto service firms such as B-Quik, TyrePlus, and Cockpit, along with local automotive businesses in Songkhla and nearby provinces, are cutting service fees by up to 18 percent for flood-damaged vehicles.
All measures are being rolled out immediately, with monitoring teams tracking progress and preparing additional support as needed. Officials noted that many participating businesses were themselves affected by the floods, yet continue to assist residents, helping sustain recovery efforts and relieve hardship across southern communities. (NNT)
