The Department of Internal Trade (DIT), operating under the Ministry of Commerce of Thailand, is the primary government authority responsible for overseeing domestic trade policies, ensuring fair competition, stabilizing prices of essential goods, and protecting consumer interests. Based in Nonthaburi, DIT serves as a regulatory and operational agency that balances market mechanisms with state interventions to safeguard the Thai economy and public welfare.
Core Functions and Responsibilities
The DIT implements a broad range of domestic trade regulations and programs, which include:
- Price Monitoring and Controls: Oversees the pricing of essential goods and services, ensuring affordability and fairness across all provinces.
- Consumer Protection: Monitors business practices for deceptive pricing, improper labeling, and product hoarding. Operates complaint hotlines and mobile inspection units.
- Trade Competition Regulation: Enforces laws against monopolistic practices and price-fixing in coordination with the Office of Trade Competition Commission (OTCC).
- Agricultural Price Stabilization: Coordinates seasonal intervention measures for rice, cassava, palm oil, and rubber to support farmers’ incomes.
- Trade Policy Execution: Implements national trade policies in local contexts, aligning with fiscal subsidies, support pricing, and market guarantees.
- Fair Trade Promotion: Operates market transparency programs and sets recommended retail prices for over 200 consumer products.
- Logistics and Market Development: Supports modern trade networks including wholesale markets, farmers’ markets, and e-commerce integration.
Organizational Structure and Leadership
Headed by Mr. Wittayakorn Maneenetr, the DIT drives economic stabilization efforts across 76 provinces in Thailand. With over 2,000 officers in regional and district offices, the department ensures localized implementation of central trade policies.
Key Achievements and Programs
- Essential Goods Price Control: Maintains regulatory oversight over 56 controlled goods and services, including LPG, fertilizers, medicines, and public transportation fares.
- Agricultural Subsidy Coordination: Facilitated over THB 85 billion in direct and indirect subsidy programs in 2023 for rice and oil palm farmers.
- Fair Price Shop Initiative: Over 25,000 participating shops across Thailand registered to sell essentials at approved fair prices under DIT’s scheme.
- Market Intervention Programs: DIT operated 1,500+ mobile commerce units in 2023 to distribute discounted goods to rural and low-income communities.
- E-Commerce and Digital Pricing Tools: Introduced mobile apps such as Price Checker to empower consumers with real-time price monitoring.
Impact and Economic Relevance
- Contributed to maintaining Thailand’s inflation rate below 3% for the past five consecutive years despite global economic volatility.
- Ensures consumer goods affordability for a population of over 70 million through regulatory market balance.
- Over 120,000 inspections conducted annually across retail, wholesale, and manufacturing points to prevent price manipulation.
Target Stakeholders
- Consumers and households nationwide
- Farmers and agricultural cooperatives
- Wholesalers and retailers
- Logistics providers and market operators
- Government policy and economic planning units
Compliance and Legal Framework
- Operates under the Price of Goods and Services Act B.E. 2542 (1999)
- Coordinates with Trade Competition Commission, Food and Drug Administration (FDA), and Provincial Administrative Organizations
- Supports Thai Government's Anti-Corruption Strategy through transparent trade policies and procurement monitoring
Outreach and Digital Modernization
- Ongoing expansion of e-Government services for business licensing and complaint filing
- Launched the DIT Smart Center as a centralized knowledge hub for trade data, digital applications, and logistics intelligence
- Promotes trade literacy and price awareness through provincial roadshows and education campaigns
Strategic Partnerships
- Works with the Bank for Agriculture and Agricultural Cooperatives (BAAC) and Ministry of Agriculture on income guarantees
- Collaborates with e-commerce platforms and logistics startups to integrate digital pricing controls and transparency measures
Conclusion
The Department of Internal Trade plays a vital regulatory and stabilizing role in Thailand’s domestic economy. Through a combination of direct interventions, digital innovation, and policy enforcement, DIT ensures equitable access to essential goods and supports fair trade practices across urban and rural Thailand. Its efforts contribute to economic security, food stability, and enhanced consumer trust in the marketplace.
