Thai govt asks retailers to slash prices

[NanLaew]

12 hours ago, Dave67 said:

I don't know about high prices just come back from Doha, bought a top of range Samsung walk-in fridge freezer for 10,000Bt Tesco Lotus

You bought a 'walk in' fridge freezer in Doha?

 

Or you came back from Doha and bought it here?

 

Or Doha uses baht as well?

 

What's a 'walk-in' fridge freezer?

 

How small are you?

 

Or do you have really generous excess baggage privileges?

[neeray]

This article just proves how little the director general knows about commerce. Most businesses at both the wholesale and retail level are already working on very slim margins. How could they possibly cut prices by 20 to 80% ? And as for claiming on personal income tax, it is my understanding that some 90% of Thais don't file tax returns anyway. I guess that just makes this another hair-brained scheme and once again, makes Thailand the "hub of nothing" (as far as this idea goes). 

[inThailand]

More brain farts! 

 

Why don't they just dust off article 44 to reduce prices?

[jmacken306]

20 hours ago, al007 said:

Wow there must be a lot of gouging of customers

 

How about the govt cutting fuel prices

How about raising WAGES!

[Airbagwill]

18 hours ago, Farangdanny said:

How often posts on here are so negative about Thai life/society/people etc. It's disgraceful. Often the same posters. Why don't you just go home to where you came from.

There's always one who mistakes this cliche for a valid argument

[thailand49]

10 hours ago, David Walden said:

Try the locally Leys chips (crisps). Every bit as good at half the price of the imported ones.  Same size bag Bt57 now that is real progress in Thailand.

I did, not bad, tried pretty much all of them just something missing in the taste. The variety and different brands in the States there just isn't any comparison.

Thanks

[overherebc]

10 hours ago, Dave67 said:

We had to employ the locals at 1 euro a day stop the stealing rail screws ect and scrapping them. One thing China is not short of is manpower

In Vietnam it was the stainless steel nuts and bolts that always seemed to grow legs.

?

[Airbagwill]

17 minutes ago, thailand49 said:

I did, not bad, tried pretty much all of them just something missing in the taste. The variety and different brands in the States there just isn't any comparison.

Thanks

I wonder where they get the sounds from. In UK they produce millions of tons specially grown for crisps, e.g. Golden Wonder. I imagine getting suitable potatoes in Thailand is quite hard....would they import?

Edited November 14, 2017 by Airbagwill

[thailand49]

2 minutes ago, Airbagwill said:

I wonder where they get the sounds from. In UK they produce millions of tons specially grown for crisps. I imagine getting suitable potatoes in Thailand is quite hard....would they import?

I saw a story recently here and people think a potato is a potato but they aren't all the same as you noted. 
When it comes to imports, it is really about competition if they ever remove the taxes and allow for import competition who would buy Thai?

 

[hobobo]

21 hours ago, janclaes47 said:

Since when does a Thai think about tomorrow?

From tomorrow onward, maybe, perhaps, who cares...

[David Walden]

2 hours ago, thailand49 said:

I did, not bad, tried pretty much all of them just something missing in the taste. The variety and different brands in the States there just isn't any comparison.

Thanks

I like potato crisps because I like the taste of potato.  Just one flavour yes potato, not all those other variations where you can't taste the potatoes.  Like the hot chillie, curry etc. and and other things they put in especially for Thais who at a very young age have destroyed the taste buds on their tongue and really need hot, hot chillies etc. to taste anything.  It's a bit like heavy smokers they really can't taste anything much as the hot smoke has destroyed much of the taste buds in their mouths or like people who joined the artillery in the Army they don't hear to well as life goes on.  Poor buggers.

[manhood]

I never ever experianced a government forcing their people to spend more and more and get deeper in dept as they are already. Seems they want the people of this country learn from them: go dept, notbody care at the moment.

 

And how they can force independant retailers, producers to reduce prices????

OHHHH forgot, the fovernment want to raise more tax in the next future and so they want to compensate by the companies reducing their prices......

 

Isn't that the most bullshit i ever read!!!!!!!!!!!

[saakura]

15 hours ago, wakeupplease said:

Now why on earth would you want to give 80% discounts when the country is attracting so many visitors that keeps the economy so buoyant. or is it those at the top cannot do English in numbers. I just had an email from a well known company telling me the country is doing well and attracting 327 million passenger at Don Maung and 860.000 plane movements.

 

I have a home back home and fully paid for, so am I a bitter poster or just telling the truth?

Read the first word of my post....."Most"

Edited November 14, 2017 by saakura

[Skeptic7]

On 11/13/2017 at 1:02 AM, Farangdanny said:

How often posts on here are so negative about Thai life/society/people etc. It's disgraceful. Often the same posters. Why don't you just go home to where you came from.

 

On 11/13/2017 at 1:05 AM, saakura said:

Most of those bitter posters have no home to go back to. Which is one of the main reasons for negativity in their lives!!

OR...dare i say it? Because many of those so-called bitter, negative comments are true.

Truth hurts oftentimes. 

[Jonah Tenner]

22 hours ago, overherebc said:

My theory.

No real winter/summer as in most other countries so everything effectively grows all year round. No need to grow store preserve anything for the non productive season. 

No planning required for anything because all basics for life always grow, all year round.

99% of the big businesses are owned/run by people of Chinese descent, their genes have planning for the barren season in-built.

You can dismiss my theory or expand on it as is your wish.

??

"When you can stick a rotten twig into the ground and pick fruit off of it six months later, what need is there to plan anything." This was my father's lament when he worked for a Development agency in my youth...

[Jonah Tenner]

15 hours ago, theguyfromanotherforum said:

They need to drop the prices on firearms.

A quicker depopulation strategy?

[overherebc]

9 hours ago, David Walden said:

I like potato crisps because I like the taste of potato.  Just one flavour yes potato, not all those other variations where you can't taste the potatoes.  Like the hot chillie, curry etc. and and other things they put in especially for Thais who at a very young age have destroyed the taste buds on their tongue and really need hot, hot chillies etc. to taste anything.  It's a bit like heavy smokers they really can't taste anything much as the hot smoke has destroyed much of the taste buds in their mouths or like people who joined the artillery in the Army they don't hear to well as life goes on.  Poor buggers.

Strangely enough I was in the Artillery for 9 years and my unit didn't have any guns.

Fact.

70 now and the only thing I don't hear too well is my wife but maybe that's selective. ??

Edited November 14, 2017 by overherebc

[mikiea]

On 11/13/2017 at 10:32 AM, worgeordie said:

Boost spending,or deeper in debt. they want to do something about the high prices of fruit and veg.

regards worgeordie

bananas and oranges same price in the west as they are  here in thailand  , clearly a case of smoke and mirrors   if you understand the cost of shipping the bananas  thousands of miles to market . fruit in thailand cities is one big joke . the countryside is very reasonable . dual pricing by area or race  is a commie socialist  scheme to protect big business . (big c & tesco)

[David Walden]

40 minutes ago, mikiea said:

bananas and oranges same price in the west as they are  here in thailand  , clearly a case of smoke and mirrors   if you understand the cost of shipping the bananas  thousands of miles to market . fruit in thailand cities is one big joke . the countryside is very reasonable . dual pricing by area or race  is a commie socialist  scheme to protect big business . (big c & tesco)

Oh my experience of the price of fruit in Thailand is that it is about 1/3 rd of the price in Perth in Western Australia.  OK in Aus they probably throw out any fruit at the packing shed if it's not perfect and that could be up to 50%.  I suppose it's a black mould that appears on the mangoes you buy in Thailand.  Just peel that away the skin and underneath the fruit is beautiful.   Bananas in Thailand are usually tree ripened, in Aus they can be as green as green when they hit the shops and can take up to 2 weeks to ripen.  Some things in Thailand not so good, fruit is one of the wonderful  good things about Thailand, picked when when ripened on the tree...lots of it, can't get any better. Don't change Thailand.

[Srikcir]

I question the reason why the government is trying to persuade the country’s biggest retailers to cut some of their prices by up to 80%.

 

Throughout the year we've heard optimistic statements from Prayut about the economy. He is

·         happy with improved economic situation - Thai PBS 2017-04-17

·          satisfied with declining household debt - nnt 2017-04-04

·         satisfied with Thailand's improved competitiveness - nnt 2017-06-02

·         crediting SET rising because of junta’s economic management - The Nation 2017-10-15

 

We've seen optimistic statements about the economy:

·         Agricultural export grows by 61% during 2017's first five months - nnt 2017-07-04

·         Consumer’s confidence index March 2017 highest in two years - Thai PBS 2017-04-17

·         GDP growth this year to be over 4% - Thai PBS 2017-1-6       

·         Export sector growing at fastest pace in 6 years - nnt 2017-08-24  

·         New company registrations expected to hit 4-year high - The Nation 2017-2-14

 

So why now ask retailers to substantially lower prices (and take less/no profit) when the economy is running well? Maybe it's political:

Junta gets thumbs down for handling of economy: Poll

More than 75% of the people surveyed saw the economy as stagnant and nearly 84% called for steps to improve the situation - The Nation 2017-05-20

http://www.nationmultimedia.com/news/national/30315786

 

If someone was thinking of running for elected office, voter perception prevails over fact and fiction. Substantially lowering consumer prices might distract future voters. But Prayut is not a politician - why would he care?

 

 

 

 

[mikiea]

2 minutes ago, David Walden said:

Oh my experience of the price of fruit in Thailand is that it is about 1/3 rd of the price in Perth in Western Australia.  OK in Aus they probably throw out any fruit at the packing shed if it's not perfect and that could be up to 50%.  I suppose it's a black mould that appears on the mangoes you buy in Thailand.  Just peel that away the skin and underneath the fruit is beautiful.   Bananas in Thailand are usually tree ripened, in Aus they can be as green as green when they hit the shops and can take up to 2 weeks to ripen.  Some things in Thailand not so good, fruit is one of the wonderful  good things about Thailand, picked when when ripened on the tree...lots of it, can't get any better. Don't change Thailand.

you miss the point , i agree it is wonderful (thai fruit) . i am from the USA , the disparity in fruit prices , or the lack of was the point i was making ....way to expensive in the cities .

[mike324]

On 11/13/2017 at 11:27 AM, janclaes47 said:

 

As I don't think it is considered that the retailers will sell at a loss, it becomes clear that this is pure greed and rip off, if a business would be able to reduce prices with 80% and still make a profit.

 

The average retail product has a 2-3 x markup from the cost purchase from the manufacturer. Its the same everywhere in the world.

[janclaes47]

3 minutes ago, mike324 said:

 

The average retail product has a 2-3 x markup from the cost purchase from the manufacturer. Its the same everywhere in the world.

 

Really?

 

https://www.investopedia.com/ask/answers/071615/what-profit-margin-usual-company-retail-sector.asp

 

Walmart is the world's largest retailer by far, but it only experienced a 3% profit margin in 2014. To put this in perspective, it takes Walmart 30 days in a 31-day month to pay off its cost of merchandise, labor, taxes and other operating costs.

[mike324]

5 minutes ago, janclaes47 said:

 

Really?

 

https://www.investopedia.com/ask/answers/071615/what-profit-margin-usual-company-retail-sector.asp

 

Walmart is the world's largest retailer by far, but it only experienced a 3% profit margin in 2014. To put this in perspective, it takes Walmart 30 days in a 31-day month to pay off its cost of merchandise, labor, taxes and other operating costs.

There are many types of retailers, in the case of supermarkets, yes their margins are only 1-3%. It is because they have huge overhead, and they are selling other folks products hence less profit. For retailers that sell their own branded goods, they markup the goods at least 2-3x. Profit margin is a different story as it all depends on their overhead.  Its hard for retailers such as as a supermarket to reduce goods by 80%, but not for retailers who sell their own branded goods - hence you see such sales up to 80% from retailers when season changes and such - they are pretty much getting rid of their stock at their purchase cost with no lost.

 

So yes Really, I've worked in the manufacturing and retail business and is well aware of the cost of goods.

[kaorop]

On Tue Nov 14 2017 at 6:12 AM, inThailand said:

More brain farts! 

 

Why don't they just dust off article 44 to reduce prices?

It might be dirty but it aint dusty.?

[David Walden]

6 hours ago, mikiea said:

you miss the point , i agree it is wonderful (thai fruit) . i am from the USA , the disparity in fruit prices , or the lack of was the point i was making ....way to expensive in the cities .

Sorry mikiea...great minds think alike.

[drgoon]

How about raising the miserable wages.

 

How about providing reasonable Social Welfare services and support.

[jinners]

On 11/13/2017 at 5:23 PM, bheard said:

 

Cutting fuel prices just encourages people to use more. No country wants that. The idea is to use less. Better for the world.

Sent from my BLL-L22 using Thailand Forum - Thaivisa mobile app
 

 

see you on the bus? Where I used to live there were no buses. Getting a pushbike in English weather is an unforgettable experience and pretty restricted. It's okay for you to have these Utopian views, but reality is a bitch and when you are paying some of the highest prices in the world for what is a necessity, quite patronizing too.

[bheard]

see you on the bus? Where I used to live there were no buses. Getting a pushbike in English weather is an unforgettable experience and pretty restricted. It's okay for you to have these Utopian views, but reality is a bitch and when you are paying some of the highest prices in the world for what is a necessity, quite patronizing too.

Utopian views? The world is awash with people, all wanting a piece of the pie. Definitely not utopia, in fact the direct opposite.
Face it, the only effective way to change behaviour is by price.
Unless of course you live in a dictatorship. Not sure where you live.
Anyway not to worry, your next car will be electric.

Sent from my F3116 using Thailand Forum - Thaivisa mobile app

[jinners]

19 hours ago, bheard said:

 

Utopian views? The world is awash with people, all wanting a piece of the pie. Definitely not utopia, in fact the direct opposite.
Face it, the only effective way to change behaviour is by price.
Unless of course you live in a dictatorship. Not sure where you live.
Anyway not to worry, your next car will be electric.

Sent from my F3116 using Thailand Forum - Thaivisa mobile app
 

 

England, and Thailand;  by price? With 77% of the price being tax already how much extra would you suggest? 100% 150% 200%? Why not suggest everyone returns to growing their own? You know, have the back garden producing potato's, carrots, few chickens running around in the back. Cos you sure can't get to a supermarket without a car. Both parents working to make ends meet as it is and just spinning wheels. And you suggest higher taxes. What were/are you, a politician? And why a dictatorship? I'm lost there. So if a country doesn't use increased pricing as a means of changing behaviour, it must be a dictatorship?