Bangkok: On Visakha Bucha Day, the government has issued a warning to the public to make merit responsibly and remain vigilant against scams. The government has also mandated strict monitoring and control of commodity prices, anticipating that the long holiday weekend and the "Thai Help Thai" campaign will boost spending by over 4 billion baht.
According to Thai News Agency, Ms. Ploytalay Laksmisangchan, Deputy Spokesperson for the Prime Minister's Office, has emphasized the need for Buddhist citizens to be cautious of scams during significant religious holidays. Fraudsters often use this time to trick people into losing money and personal information. She advised the public to be wary of clicking on links in SMS messages or website URLs sent via email or online, which may falsely solicit donations and result in financial loss or personal data breaches.
The government has provided several precautions, including avoiding online money-sharing websites requesting personal information, such as national ID numbers, bank account details, or OTP codes. Citizens are also advised against clicking on links from unknown SMS messages inviting participation in online schemes. Past incidents have shown that scammers use holidays to send deceptive SMS messages that can drain bank accounts. Additionally, the public should be cautious of installing suspicious applications that claim to facilitate online money-sharing or donation schemes, as these could be scams designed to steal money through remote access.
Ms. Ploytalee mentioned that the government has tasked the Department of Internal Trade with closely monitoring commodity prices during the Visakha Bucha holiday. This is to prevent price gouging on Buddhist offering sets or misleading sales practices. She noted that prices have remained stable compared to the Makha Bucha holiday period in March 2026. Citizens encountering businesses that fail to display prices, overcharge, or engage in unfair practices are encouraged to report via hotline 1569 or the provincial commerce office. Offenses such as failing to display prices carry a fine of up to 10,000 baht, while excessive pricing or hoarding can result in imprisonment of up to 7 years, a fine of up to 140,000 baht, or both.
Ms. Ploytalee further highlighted that, based on an assessment by the Center for Economic and Business Forecasting at the University of the Thai Chamber of Commerce, spending during the Visakha Bucha Day in 2026 is expected to be more robust than in 2025. There is an anticipated increase in money circulation by more than 5%, with spending projected between 4,000-4,500 million baht. Contributing factors include an extended holiday from May 30th to June 3rd, 2026, reduced oil prices, improved conditions in the Middle East, and the launch of the "Thai Helps Thai Plus" spending stimulus project. Additionally, traditional Thai religious customs encourage families to visit temples for merit-making and dining out.