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DITP Upgrades 'Smart Shops' for 'Thailand Helps Thailand Plus' Initiative

DITP Upgrades 'Smart Shops' for 'Thailand Helps Thailand Plus' Initiative

Khaosod•Economy•24d ago

Reader Briefing

Thailand's Department of Business Development is enhancing community retail, including traditional 'shrines,' into 'Smart Shops' to leverage government support programs.

  • •The Department of Business Development (DBD) is upgrading community retail businesses nationwide into 'Smart Shops'.
  • •The initiative aims to support the 'Thailand Helps Thailand Plus 60/40' campaign and the State Welfare Card.
  • •The DBD plans to expand the 'Smart Shop Plus' project in 2026, broadening its scope to include related community retail businesses.
  • •The upgrade emphasizes the integration of technology for improved efficiency, cost reduction, and wider customer reach.

Overview

  • •In 2026, the Department of Business Development will expand the 'Smart Shop Plus' project.
  • •The Department of Business Development is upgrading community retail businesses nationwide to 'Smart Shops'.
  • •This upgrade supports the 'Thailand Helps Thailand Plus 60/40' campaign and the State Welfare Card.
  • •The goal is to strengthen community retail to compete with convenience stores and large retailers.
  • •The project will incorporate modern retail technologies to increase efficiency and customer access.
  • •The Department of Business Development has continuously promoted the development of retail businesses (shrines) through the 'Smart Shop Plus' project.
  • •In 2025, 2,917 small retailers received training, and 300 were developed into 'Smart Shops'.
  • •The 'Smart Shop Plus' project aims to directly distribute income to communities and facilitate purchases for state welfare cardholders.

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Key Quotes

Poonpong Naiyanaphatgorn
"In 2026, the Smart Shop Plus project has expanded its target group for development to include other related retail businesses in the community."
ในปี 2026 ได้ขยายการดำเนินโครงการสมาร์ทโชห่วย พลัส โดยเพิ่มกลุ่มเป้าหมายการพัฒนาไปยังธุรกิจค้าปลีกอื่นๆ ที่เกี่ยวข้องในชุมชนด้วย

Key Entities

Organization

Department of Business Development(กรมพัฒนาธุรกิจการค้า)ℹ️
The Thai government organization responsible for upgrading community retail businesses into 'Smart Shops' and implementing the 'Smart Shop Plus' project.
Ministry of Commerce(กระทรวงพาณิชย์)ℹ️
The ministry to which the Department of Business Development belongs.
Model Local Retail and Wholesale Stores(ร้านค้าส่งค้าปลีกท้องถิ่นต้นแบบ)
These stores are collaborating with the 'Smart Shop Plus' project to develop smaller retailers under the 'Shrine Mentor' concept.

Policy

Thailand Helps Thailand Plus 60/40(ไทยช่วยไทย พลัส 60/40)
A government support campaign that the upgrade of 'Smart Shops' aims to facilitate for community retail businesses.
State Welfare Card(บัตรสวัสดิการแห่งรัฐ)
A government welfare program for which 'Smart Shops' will provide convenient purchasing options for cardholders.

Person

Poonpong Naiyanaphatgorn(นายพูนพงษ์ นัยนาภากรณ์)
Director-General of the Department of Business Development, who announced the expansion of the 'Smart Shop Plus' project.