Nonthaburi: The Prime Minister slung a shopping bag over his shoulder at the OTOP Midyear sale, delighted with the 147 million baht in sales. The Prime Minister spent over 5 hours shopping at the OTOP Midyear 2026 event on its second day, expressing delight at the 147 million baht in sales generated in just one and a half days. He also encouraged the public to support local entrepreneurs and utilize the "Thai Helps Thai Plus" program. The official opening ceremony will be held at 3:00 PM tomorrow.
According to Thai News Agency, after returning from a mission in Loei Province, Prime Minister and Minister of Interior Anutin Charnvirakul, along with Mrs. Thanon Charnvirakul, Chairperson of the Cabinet Spouses Association and Honorary Advisor of the Ministry of Interior Wives Association, Ms. Traisuli Traisaranakul, Secretary to the Prime Minister, and Mr. Arsit Sampanrat, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Interior, traveled to the OTOP Midyear 2026 event held at Challenger 1-3, IMPACT Exhibition and Convention Center, Muang Thong Thani, Pak Kret District, Nonthaburi Province. They were welcomed by Mr. Siam Sirimongkol, Director-General of the Department of Community Development, Mrs. Orachira Sirimongkol, Vice President of the Ministry of Interior Wives Association and President of the Community Development Wives Club, Mr. Chetha Mosikarat, Governor of Nonthaburi Province, Mr. Warong Saengmuang and Mr. Pairoj Sopaporn, Deputy Directors-General of the Department of Community Development, and other off icials from the Department of Community Development.
On this occasion, Mr. Anutin joined the youth choral group VoiZe Academy Thailand in singing songs such as the royal compositions "Yame Yen (Love at Sundown)" and "Klae Rung" by His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej, as well as the patriotic song "Kerd Nai Mueang Non" (Homeland).
Mr. Anutin then toured the various zones of the event, offering encouragement to entrepreneurs and thanking the public for shopping. He sampled and purchased a variety of products, including dried foods, processed seafood, shrimp paste, salted fish, clothing, and accessories. During his tour, he encouraged the public to support local businesses from across the country and promoted the "Thai Helps Thai Plus" project. He noted that many entrepreneurs at the event were registered as "Thai Helps Thai Plus" businesses to facilitate the government's 60/40 cost-of-living reduction program. He also visited products from members of the Women's Development Fund and products made by inmates who have received vocational training from the Department of Corrections. Furthermore, he received a neck, shoulder, and back massage at the Central Women's Correctional Institution, located at pillar H1, Challenger 1. The Prime Minister spent over 5 hours touring the event.
As of 1:00 PM today, sales at the OTOP Midyear 2026 event have reached 147.433 million baht. The top five most popular zones are: 1. Five OTOP categories, 2. OTOP food, 3. OTOP artists, 4. OTOP Startup, and 5. OTOP Premium.
The government, through the Ministry of Interior, is organizing the OTOP Midyear 2026 event under the theme "OTOP NEXT INSPIRATION: Creating Value for Local Wisdom Products, Reaching the International Level." The event aims to add value to community products by integrating local identity with innovation and creativity, while simultaneously promoting the "Thai Helps Thai Plus" policy to encourage the consumption of Thai products and stimulate the domestic economy. The event will take place from June 20-28, 2026, from 10:00 AM to 9:00 PM at Challenger Hall 1-3, IMPACT Exhibition and Convention Center, Muang Thong Thani, Nonthaburi Province. It will showcase over 2,500 booths of 3-5 star OTOP products from 76 provinces and Bangkok, offering consumers a wide selection of goods. The event will also provide market opportunities and generate income for producers, entrepreneurs, and communities nationwide. The opening ceremony will be held on June 22, 2026, at 3:00 PM, presided over by Mr. Anutin Charnvirakul, Prime Minister and Minister of Interior.