FOLLOWING the passing of Her Majesty Queen Sirikit the Queen Mother with the government deeming it appropriate for civil servants, state enterprise employees and government officials to observe one-year of mourning, this has led to a big rush to buy black clothes and along with it a warning against profiteering, Thai Rath newspaper and TV Channel 7 said today (Oct. 26).
Mr. Witthayakorn Maninetra, director-general of the Department of Internal Trade (DIT), said as demand for black clothes and mourning attire has skyrocketed his officials are monitoring retail prices and production costs to prevent price gouging.
Vendors, department stores and online platforms were urged to sell these clothes at reasonable prices, consistent with actual costs. They must clearly display price tags on every item, across all channels, so that the public can transparently check and compare prices before making a purchase decision.
He added that raw material costs for black shirt production have not increased. The price of TC fabric, used to make polo shirts, and stretch fabric, remains stable at approximately 40 baht per yard and stocks are sufficient to meet factory demand.
Major manufacturers and wholesalers are maintaining wholesale prices at between 100–400 baht per piece, depending on the design and quality of the fabric.
Retailers are mostly not jacking up prices of black clothes with round-neck shirts being sold at 199–299 baht each, polo shirts at 299–359 baht, and long-sleeved shirts at 399–499 baht. These clothes will be available for purchase at subsidised prices under the copay scheme from Oct. 29 onwards.
However, the department received a tip from the public via the 1569 hotline about a shop selling black clothes at inflated prices in the Bobae Market area and officials are urgently investigating.
Any violations will be prosecuted under the Price of Goods and Services Act B.E. 2542 (1999). Failure to display prices carries a fine of up to 10,000 baht. Selling at unreasonably high prices or taking advantage of buyers carries a penalty of up to seven years imprisonment or maximum 140,000 baht fine, or both. Hoarding goods is also punishable with violators facing a penalty of up to five years imprisonment or maximum 100,000 baht fine, or both.
CAPTIONS:
Top and Front Page – Black clothes on sale at a shop in Bangkok. Photo – Thai Rath
Insert – Director-general of the Department of Internal Trade Witthayakorn Maninetra. Photo – Thai Rath
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