BANGKOK: The Special Operations Centre for Thai-Cambodian Border Situations Management (SOC-TCBSM) has introduced five strategic measures to support farmers impacted by Cambodia's recent ban on Thai fruit and vegetable imports.
These strategies aim to assist agricultural communities and mitigate the effects of Cambodia's recent ban on Thai fruit and vegetable imports, which was enforced due to the ongoing border tensions between the two nations.
The five strategies are as follows:
1. "Thai Fruit Festival 2025" campaign
The campaign will be organised in collaboration with retail and wholesale stores, local markets, and trade associations such as the Thai Agricultural Wholesale Market Association and the Thai Fresh Market Association. The festival aims to promote the consumption of Thai fruits.
2. Purchasing mangoes for distribution as complimentary gifts
In collaboration with four fuel station chains—PT, PTT, Bangchak, and Susco—with 1,097 outlets across Bangkok and its vicinity, this initiative will target the purchase of 2,000 tons of mangoes to be given away as promotional gifts.
3. Connecting fruit sales to the Commercial Ministry’s Blue Flag (Thong Fah) and mobile events
The government will link Thai fruits to sales events like the Thong Fah and mobile events, targeting 30 locations in Bangkok and provincial areas such as Ratchaburi, Chachoengsao, Surin, and Nakhon Phanom.
4. Supporting fruit purchases for corporate social responsibility (CSR) activities
The government will encourage public and private sector organisations, such as the Ministry of Finance, the Armed Forces, the National Police, the Department of Corrections, the Department of Royal Rainmaking and Agricultural Aviation, state-owned financial institutions, and private banks, to purchase Thai fruits for their CSR activities and consumption within their institutions.
5. Expanding new sales channels
- Fort Vending (Tao Bin): This initiative will see the company purchase fruit to create smoothie products for sale at 15 Tao Bin vending machines located in major shopping malls. The goal is to purchase 1,000 tons, with plans to expand to nationwide branches with a target of 7,500 tons. The MOU was signed on May 16.
- AirAsia: The airline will purchase Thai fruits to process them into menu items and beverages for sale on domestic and international flights. The target is 1,000 tons, and an MOU has been signed. - The Nation/ANN
