B40-meal plan on hold after public backlash

Commerce Minister Suphajee Suthumpun has halted plans for a 40-baht rice-and-curry project, pending review, following mixed public reaction to the proposed scheme.

Ms Suphajee, a deputy prime minister, on Tuesday posted on her Facebook account that she had recently discussed the issue of meal prices with members of the media.

As energy prices had begun to ease, the Commerce Ministry had been asked to help reduce the cost of living, particularly the daily expense of ready-to-eat meals, she said, and outlined  the 40-baht meal scheme she planned to propose to the cabinet.

The minister said the price of a typical Thai curry-and-rice take-away depended on a range of factors, not just energy costs. These included the cost of ingredients, cooking gas, wages and rent, all under the responsibility of various government agencies. The government was already addressing these factors, she said.

As for food ingredients, the ministry had been helping reduce the cost of essential cooking ingredients through its "Thais Help Thais: Lowering the Cost of Living" programme in operation since April 1 this year.

The ministry would continue to monitor and control the prices of key ingredients and promote lower-cost food supplies through the scheme.

The ministry had also instructed the Department of Internal Trade to strengthen links between farmers and restaurants, enabling them to supply ingredients directly. This would  help lower restaurants' costs, ease pressure on food prices and support farmers at the same time. (continues below)

People buy ready-to-eat meals at stalls in Sathon district, Bangkok on July 3. (Photo: Nittaya Nattayai)

To further ease the burden on consumers while economic conditions remain unsettled, particularly in light of the renewed conflict in the Middle East, the ministry had been considering an additional measure, Ms Suphajee said.

Under the proposal, restaurants that register with the government would receive financial support in exchange for offering selected single-dish meals at affordable prices.

However, Ms Suphajee said, an appropriate price had not yet been determined and the figure of 40 baht was merely an example used during discussions.

She acknowledged that public reaction to the proposal was mixed, and said the ministry was prepared to listen and reassess the scheme, to avoid distorting the market mechanism.

Many people had pointed out that affordable meals priced below 40 baht were already widely available, while others argued that the government should instead focus on addressing factors beyond the Commerce Ministry's responsibility,

As a result, the ministry had suspended plans to submit the proposal to the cabinet for consideration, Ms Suphajee said.

Although the proposal had been put on hold, the government remained open to public opinion, said the minister, adding that the decision to delay the measure itself reflected its willingness to listen to all sides.

She said overcoming the country's overlapping economic challenges would require cooperation from all sectors. The government could not move forward on an important policy while public opinion remained deeply divided.

Criticism emerged as the minister prepared to seek cabinet approval for the programme,  under which participating food outlets would sell meals for no more than 40 baht, using subsidised ingredients.

The programme intended to recruit 100,000 vendors and restaurants and provide each with a subsidy of 3,000-10,000 baht. It would complement the Thais Help Thais Plus co-payment programme. Ms Suphajee said earlier she hoped it could be launched in August, if approved by the cabinet.

Rice with two toppings is priced at 35 baht at the food court of Jangmangkhang market in Phra Samut Chedi district of Samut Prakan province, adjoining Bangkok. (Photo: Nittaya Nattayai)