Shortage emerges in raw materials for face mask production 

By The Nation

 

DIT Director General Wichai Pochanakit

 

Department of Internal Trade (DIT) has warned the public against hoarding of face masks, citing a shortage of raw materials affecting production volume amid growing fears of the Covid-19 infection. 

 

Factories nationwide have a combined capacity of only 1,350,000 pieces a day, said DIT Director General Wichai Pochanakit, adding that face mask producers were told to deliver 600,000 pieces daily to the Ministry of Commerce and Ministry of Public Health.

 

“Of the daily supply to the ministry, 150,000 pieces are distributed to hospitals, 200,000 to the Government Pharmaceutical Organisation (GPO), and 250,000 to the DIT for deliveries to Thai Pharmacies Association, THAI Airways, Blue Flag shops, outlets of 7-Eleven, Big-C and Tesco Lotus,” he said. 

Producers are allowed to sell the balance of 750,000 pieces, he said. 

 

Meanwhile, commercial ambassadors overseas have been instructed to help locate sources of raw materials for face mask production. 

 

The ministry has also asked manufactures to operate round the clock, every day of the week,” he said.

 

He said Jurin Laksanawisit, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Commerce, would meet with 11 face mask producers, Ministry of Public Health officials, representatives of hospitals affiliated to universities and the Private Hospitals Association today (March 2) on drawing up a distribution strategy. 

 

“The minister has also arranged 111 caravans to distribute face masks throughout the country, 21 in Bangkok and its metropolitan areas, and 90 in all other provinces,” he said.

 

“People are allowed buy one pack of four pieces person for Bt10 per pack or Bt2.50 per piece from the caravans. We expect the operation to begin this week”. 

 

DIT Director General told people not to panic into stocking face masks, in order not to worsen the supply shortage in the market.

 

Source: https://www.nationthailand.com/news/30383166

 

-- © Copyright The Nation Thailand 2020-03-02

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Earlier today the health minister confirmed there was no shortage.

 

My friends all tell me they cannot find masks anywhere. I haven't looked myself. I have a washable mask that I bought 2 months ago for the PM 2.5. 

I'm just going to embed this link here :

 

 

They have enough masks every day (700k) for 1% of the population.

Edited March 2, 20206 yr by ukrules

Waiting until the last minute or later before reordering stock is a cultural trait. Could have seen that one coming. Now there's no masks available to use as protection from the horrendous air pollution. It just keeps getting better.????

Another case of Thai government logic.

Who would think that when telling people that there is a shortage of raw materials, and thus there will be a shortage of masks, they would stop hoarding masks?

When reading this news most people will start hoarding everything they can, because it looks like in a month or two Thailand could be out of masks.

 

I wear a mask mainly because of the air pollution, not because of the Corona virus.

Luckily i ordered 50 pieces of 3M N95 masks in preperation of the burning season, did cost me less than 20THB a piece back then.

7 minutes ago, jackdd said:

 

I wear a mask mainly because of the air pollution, not because of the Corona virus.

Because they are as effective as a chocolate fireguard against the virus.

If you live in the provinces it's quite easy to keep other animals at a distance.

17 hours ago, webfact said:

Department of Internal Trade (DIT) has warned the public against hoarding of face masks, citing a shortage of raw materials affecting production volume amid growing fears of the Covid-19 infection

We can easily produce 100 million face masks per month from the combined Thai companies.... 

Where does your supply chain come from... ohhh dear!!

22 hours ago, petedk said:

Earlier today the health minister confirmed there was no shortage.

 

My friends all tell me they cannot find masks anywhere. I haven't looked myself. I have a washable mask that I bought 2 months ago for the PM 2.5. 

Loss of face?

18 hours ago, ukrules said:

I'm just going to embed this link here :

 

 

They have enough masks every day (700k) for 1% of the population.

Yeah, I remember that article as well, just another Minister lying to his constituents

Given that paper masks are as much use as toilet paper for stopping a virus, just make some out of toilet paper. Problem solved.