Pattaya, January 15th, 2026 – As Thailand grapples with economic pressures and the tense atmosphere surrounding upcoming elections, everyday essentials are becoming increasingly unaffordable for many residents. A recent survey of vegetable prices at Phothisarn Market in Pattaya City revealed that fresh bird’s eye chilies (known locally as phrik khii nuu) are now selling for 220–230 baht per kilogram, a sharp increase that is hitting small traders and consumers hard.
These tiny but fiery chilies are a staple ingredient in Thai cuisine, especially in beloved dishes like som tam (green papaya salad).
Wilaiwan Phongwichit, a fresh vegetable vendor at Phothisarn Market, shared that the cost of bird’s eye chilies has risen dramatically in recent weeks. Previously, her wholesale cost ranged from 70–80 baht per kilogram, but it has now surged to 180 baht per kilogram for chilies with stems attached. For stemless varieties, the price climbs even higher to 220 baht per kilogram.
To stay in business, vendors like Wilaiwan have no choice but to pass these increased costs on to customers. The primary reasons for the spike include high demand combined with limited supply, as well as broader disruptions in the supply chain.
The price of green papaya, another essential ingredient for som tam, has also climbed sharply, jumping from 120 baht per 10-kilogram bag to 300 baht for the same quantity.
Suphaphorn Matkhao, owner of the popular “Je Phrae Saep Power” som tam restaurant, said she has never seen fresh chilies reach such exorbitant levels in all her years in business. “In the past, even 80–90 baht per kilogram already felt expensive,” she explained. “Now at 230 baht, our food production costs have skyrocketed.”
Despite the pressure, the restaurant has chosen not to raise menu prices. Instead, staff are using smaller amounts of the expensive chilies in each dish to keep the business running.
She appealed to relevant authorities to urgently implement measures to monitor and stabilize chili prices, explaining that the burden ultimately falls on small-scale vendors and ordinary citizens who rely on these affordable street foods in their daily lives.
As election season approaches and economic challenges continue, the surge in basic food prices serves as a stark reminder of how quickly living costs can affect everyday Thais, from market vendors to families enjoying their favorite spicy meals.
