PHUKET Commerce Department raided Patong beach to check if any vendors were selling coconuts at 150 baht a fruit but none were found doing so as claimed by a TikToker with his video attracting a lot of comments, Amarin TV said this evening (April 25).
In the 18-second video the foreign TikTok user who goes by the name “rk.k1ng” vented his frustration about skyrocketing prices, Naewna newspaper said,
Speaking in Thai, he said, “I’m at Patong Beach right now. I bought a coconut for 150 baht… That’s way too expensive. Back home, it’s only 25 baht…”
Ms. Waranit Apiratjirawong, Phuket provincial commerce officer, sent officials from the Inspection and Operations division and Patong Municipality to investigate the TikToker’s claim today.
A random inspection of shops and vendors in the area revealed that most vendors clearly displayed prices, with coconuts listed at 100 baht per fruit. In contrast, shops further from the beach were selling them for 50-80 baht per fruit.
Inquiries into the pricing revealed several factors, including the cost of peeled coconuts at 30-40 baht per fruit (depending on transportation and season), the expense of maintaining coolness requiring a large amount of ice daily, labour cost, and the risk of spoilage requiring discarding within three days.
Local vendors also revealed that while beachside sales are currently systematically managed by community enterprises, in the past, unauthorised individuals appeared to have infiltrated the area.
Officials will be strictly monitoring and cracking down on such activities to prevent further incidents that could damage the image of tourism.
Moreover, to prevent similar problems and establish consistent standards, the Phuket Commerce Office has coordinated with Patong Municipality to brief business operators during April 27-30, 2026, underscoring compliance with the Central Committee on Prices of Goods and Services Announcement No. 68 (2025) regarding the display of prices of goods and services. Violators or non-compliance will be subject to penalties accordingly.
CAPTIONS:
Top – Coconuts for sale at Patong beach. Photo – Amarin TV
Insert and Front Page – The foreign TikToker complaining about pricey coconuts at Patong beach. Photo – Naewna
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