These shops sell goods for less than market prices to help people cope with inflation. Caretaker Commerce Minister Somkid Jatusripitak has ordered the Internal Trade Department to chalk out a plan to increase the number to 8,000 within a month.

There are currently about 3,200 kiosks in areas predominantly populated by low-income groups, of which 2,000 are permanent kiosks selling low-cost food and 1,200 are mobile shops.

In addition, the ministry will release another 30 mobile stores - essentially pickups stocked with essential consumer goods that are sold for less than in normal retail shops.

The ministry's assistance campaign includes mobile kiosks, blue-flag shops, weekend markets and a new healthcare project for low-income people, which should be launched within the next month.

Despite the continuing rise in oil prices, the ministry forecasts inflation at 4.5 to 5 per cent this year despite a year-on-year inflation rate of 5.9 per cent in the first half of the year.

"The ministry has done a good job to curb inflation and hopes to continue the trend for the rest of the year with its many projects," he said.

Somkid said the projects carried out by the ministry are in cooperation with private enterprises and he asked the Customs Department for tariff deductions for manufacturers that participate in the project.

Petchanet Pratruangkrai

The Nation