BANGKOK, Thailand – The Department of Internal Trade has tightened controls on the sale of New Year gift baskets while preparing to launch a nationwide price-reduction campaign on December 23, a move intended to strengthen consumer confidence during the year-end shopping season.
Officials have been assigned to carry out on-site inspections of wholesale and retail operators nationwide. Sellers must clearly display itemized lists and prices for all products included in gift baskets to ensure transparency for consumers.
Inspection teams are monitoring the sale of food, beverages, and souvenirs at major transport hubs, including the Eastern, Southern, and Mo Chit Bus Terminals. Additional checks are underway at Don Mueang International Airport to verify certified weighing equipment, while inspections are also being conducted at highway rest areas, tourist destinations, and fuel stations participating in the standard fuel dispenser project, which now covers more than 6,800 service stations nationwide.
At the same time, the department is coordinating the New Year Mega Sale 2026, scheduled to run from December 23 through January 31, 2026. A total of 261 operators are participating, offering discounts of up to 80 percent on 6,880 consumer products, 1,670 service items, and more than 30,000 online products.
The campaign will officially begin at the Ministry of Commerce on December 23 with more than 250 sales booths, alongside parallel promotions at department stores and retail outlets nationwide. Blue Flag fairs offering specially priced bagged rice and fast-track public services are also being rolled out to help ease household expenses during the New Year period. (NNT)
