Bangkok: Vendors who are unfairly pricing their food items may face legal action

[webfact]

Vendors who are unfairly pricing their food items may face legal action

BANGKOK, 25 November 2014 (NNT) - The Department of Internal Trade (DIT) under the Commerce Ministry has cautioned food manufacturers and vendors to not unfairly raise food prices.

According to DIT Director-General Boonyarit Kalayanamit, the DIT study into food production capital nationwide found that the costs are either on a decline or stable. For this reason, Boonyarit has warned food vendors to not take the opportunity to profiteer. Otherwise, they may be subjected to legal action ranging from a fine to a couple of months in jail.

Officials from the department would be monitoring food stalls throughout Bangkok and its suburbs everyday and would be assigned into ten different patrol teams. The department would pay special attention to food shops that had been complained by customers.

By carefully analyzing the production costs, the department concluded that prices of food ingredients are on the decline or remain stable. Even though the cost of LPG gas is on the rise, it has only raised the costs of cooking by only a few satang.

Meanwhile, the DIT has met with various food operators in line with Commerce Minister General Chatchai Sarikalya’s policy to control and stabilize food prices as a way to help ease the cost of living for Thais throughout the New Year.


-- NNT 2014-11-25

[meatboy]

why dont they go to the supermarkets and the meat suppliers first,dont blame the vendors.

oh and by the way gas goes up next month.

[RtotheC]

Does this mean they will start arresting people for double pricing foreigners?

[smutcakes]

Surely street vendors pricing is all relevant to demand and supply. If they put their price up to high they will not sell their food. People have a choice whether to buy from vendors or not, street vendor food is not a irreplaceable commodity.

If they want to look at profiteering, how about looking at the essential commodities like electric, water, gas, not to mention bank charges!

[tomross46]

A good place to start would be PTT.

[useronthenet]

Price of gas has rocketed, aswell as food products which have risen to incredible prices, spurred on by inflation, and by dramatically increasing wages.

DIT obviously are not in the 'real' world of economics, and their answer is to dictate to vendors what price they should sell, in a so-called free market, is way off the mark.

[Chang_paarp]

I guess varying the the serving size is beyond the business logic of The Department of Internal Trade (DIT) under the Commerce Ministry. They seem preoccupied with the sale price, a quick trip to almost any fast food corporate site will see the concept of up-selling as a business practice.

[jdfmail]

Pricing in Thailand isn't always as simple as supply and demand setting the appropriate costs. Some areas and streets sell food for much more than other areas and this is due to the sellers setting higher prices in concert. 'If we all sell for 10 baht more than it won't effect demand.'

I'm all for free markets but this is the reality of it and many people live hand to mouth so the gov't is trying to control everyday costs for those people.

[tingtong]

Officials from the department would be monitoring food stalls throughout Bangkok and its suburbs everyday

DIT came around the universal problem that "there is no free lunch on the market".

Obviously, for some, there is!

[spidermike007]

They may fines of up to 200 baht, and a suspended 60 day sentence. Enough to truly put the fear of God in them.

[smutcakes]

Pricing in Thailand isn't always as simple as supply and demand setting the appropriate costs. Some areas and streets sell food for much more than other areas and this is due to the sellers setting higher prices in concert. 'If we all sell for 10 baht more than it won't effect demand.'

I'm all for free markets but this is the reality of it and many people live hand to mouth so the gov't is trying to control everyday costs for those people.

If they care about costs, why don't they relax the investment laws so large external companies can enter the market and force the local monopoly holders to be more competitive.

[millwall_fan]

How about starting with the rich landlords and landowners and forcing them to reduce their scandalously high rents, rather than picking on poor street vendors struggling to make living

[samsensam]

the customer can choose where they want to shop. unless there is a cartel i dont see the problem.

its basic economics anyway

[gerry123]

i don't know why all vendors not just food take advantage of a perfectly good currency called the satang it would give them a new way of

altering prices in line with their costs if gas has risen by 5 satang raise prices the by the same amount no vendor should be expected to take a hit on the profit but equally so neither should the customer pay over the odds for really what is basic food

i have a feeling its just to much bother

[gemini81]

cool. What Phra Kaew is real easy to find. No dual prices is reasonable. Head on down & start there!

There rest is an open market. Dictating prices is a:_________.

[Time Traveller]

Common Sense 101:

If ever you find yourself complaining about state control of prices, then you better go live in another country with democracy and free markets.

[Fred Flinstone]

I hope they maintain Happiness by achieving this great goal

[Commerce]

"Officials from the department would be monitoring food stalls throughout Bangkok and its suburbs everyday"

What has this anything to do with the department of INTERNATIONAL TRADE??

[Chao Lao Beach]

I bet they conveniently forgot some of the "outrageous rents" and the REQUIRED BRIBES to Thai Government Officials in order to have have protection from the same Gov employes.

On the other hand, it is a free market, sometimes i really feel for the small street vendors and if their sanitary is half decent, enjoy buying from them.

[jaltsc]

Does this mean they will start arresting people for double pricing foreigners?

Of course not. That us the official mark up for farangs.

[meatboy]

"Officials from the department would be monitoring food stalls throughout Bangkok and its suburbs everyday"

What has this anything to do with the department of INTERNATIONAL TRADE??

they want to attract b.i.t. better international tourists.

[Emster23]

Always go after the little guy. That is Thainess in action. Be it street vendors or drug dealers.

[Johnnie99]

Does this include the double and triple prices charged to unsuspecting foreigners and other tourists?

I once wanted to buy some pineapple in a bag from a street vendor. The Thais in front of me were charged 20b, and then he asked me for 40b.

I loudly asked him in Thai if he was serious about his fruit costing 40b and lo and behold, instantly (well, when other Thais looked at him) the price went down to 20b.

So let's hope this measure applies equally, if at all.

[Estrada]

The mutli-millionaires running the Government are telling the poor food vendors not to profit at the peoples expense!

[Estrada]

"Officials from the department would be monitoring food stalls throughout Bangkok and its suburbs everyday"

What has this anything to do with the department of INTERNATIONAL TRADE??

You need a visit to the opticians.

It says Department of Internal Trade which means "In Country".

[thedude82]

nothing will happen. just stop it.

[marsstar14]

"Officials from the department would be monitoring food stalls throughout Bangkok and its suburbs everyday"

What has this anything to do with the department of INTERNATIONAL TRADE??

You need a visit to the opticians.

It says Department of Internal Trade which means "In Country".

Exactly. Some people just cannot seem to read properly.

[worgeordie]

I hope they have back up teams,for when they start coming

down with diarrhea !

regards Worgeordie

[samjaidee]

"Officials from the department would be monitoring food stalls throughout Bangkok and its suburbs everyday"

What has this anything to do with the department of INTERNATIONAL TRADE??

Nothing, that's why it's the Department of Internal Trade.

I think you forgot to read the article.

[wabothai]

ssssjjjj... I am a controller.....