Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha has condemned those who emptied "pantries of sharing" and abused the public's goodwill, saying it must not be allowed to happen again.
"There should not be a repeat of the incidents. We must have think about others. If you continue such abuse, no one will want to donate," the prime minister said on Tuesday.
Prayut said he could not accept the hoarding of foods placed in the pantries by donors. Video clips were shared online showing people arriving in cars and on motorcycles to take away items in large bags.
Many pantries have sprung up across the country to help the poor and the needy whose livelihoods are being severely affected by the pandemic. There are now 249 pantries in 51 provinces, after a businessman introduced the idea to Thailand from a concept from abroad.
The pantries are filled after items, including drinking water, uncooked rice, instant noodles, canned sardines and face masks are donated by the public.
Chatrudee Kopit told Channel One 31 that she set up a pantry outside her home in Bangkok and stocked up on items which were taken quickly. But those who failed to get anything rang her doorbell, demanding that she keep the pantry filled at all times.
Ms Chatrudee said she felt unsafe and decided to remove the pantry from outside her home. Instead, she donates items at other pantries in the neighbourhood.
A Facebook user named "Rainbow Six" said scenes of people with sacks and bags in hand raiding pantries showed that those looking to take advantage of the goodwill of others outnumbered the poor and the needy.
Another Facebook user by the name of "Red Skull" said the pantries showed how selfish some people were.
But a local community leader in Trat remained positive.
"We should overlook those who are selfish. If we can help even one poor person, our mission is accomplished," he said.
