51 held so far for selling over-priced face masks

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51 held so far for selling over-priced face masks

By The Nation

 

 

Consumer Protection Police Division officers teamed up with Department of Internal Trade officials on March 5 in a sting operation that nabbed a merchant for allegedly selling masks at unreasonably high prices.

 

The two teams pretended to purchase 80 boxes (8,000 face masks) as part of the operation, finding that some of the masks were being sold at Bt15 each at a restaurant in Bangkok.

 

They said selling masks, which is a controlled product, at an unreasonably high price is an offence under the Price of Goods and Services Act BE 1999, which calls for imprisonment of not more than seven years or a fine of not over Bt140,000 or both.

 

Since February 7, 51 merchants have been arrested for selling overpriced masks and 31,676 items seized.

 

People have been requested to call Hotline 1135 if they see masks being hoarded or sold at unreasonably high prices.

 

Source: https://www.nationthailand.com/news/30383501

 

-- © Copyright The Nation Thailand 2020-03-06

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[digger70]

So What's new ? Same with the Lotto People sell them for whatever price . ????

[Don Mega]

don't know how many are in a box my work buys but they have been supplying staff for months but 2 days ago they said no more supply as the masks have jumped in price from Bt.100 a box to Bt.3000 a box.

[trainman34014]

'Held' meaning ?    You can bet your last Baht that none of these people will be doing 7 years in the pokey or paying 140,000 Baht fines !

[DLock]

51 arrested for selling over-priced masks.

 

Only 47 infected.

 

Interesting.

[curious297]

Isn't this just plain old capitalism? In thailand Expats pay more for:

• Increased hospital bills compared to thais with the approval of the government = more profit.
• We pay more than thais for entry into government run businesses like national parks, temples etc = more profit
• All pay a higher price for alcohol which makes most prices ridiculous compared to other countries = more profit
• The street food vendor buys their wares in Macro, sells at higher price  = More profit
• Airlines increase their seat prices sometimes 100's of percent more nearer to the flight date = more profit

Do any of the above actions call for price gouging? 

So what's the difference if someone buys mask cheap and sells them at a higher price? isn't it at the discretion of the buyer to choose whether they perceive value and make the choice to buy? No one forces any one to buy a face mask for crazy prices. In my case I just walk away.

 

Could it be the Thai government feel they are not benefiting from any additional tax on this now high demand item? IMHO i cannot see any thai caught selling these higher prices masks getting anywhere near the punishment which calls for imprisonment of not more than seven years or a fine of not over Bt140,000 or both. We all know we may never hear the outcome of these 51 cases.

 

Although the "regular" price is 2.5 THB, it is said that " some of the masks were being sold at Bt15 each", I mean, these sellers must be making an absolute killing!!! I can only imagine how many more beemers and mercs there will be on the streets after this has all blown over ????

 

"They said selling masks, which is a controlled product....." Since when was this a controlled product? Was it always controlled? How did they relay this information to all sellers? How much is a "reasonable" price, 3/6/10 THB? 

 

I just checked Lazada thailand and searched for "facemasks" then in order from cheapest first.

The cheapest is 45 THB for 2 so 22.50 THB each, a bit more than the 15 THB from the accused vendors. I'm curious what the thai government plan to do about this? Yeah, I don't think so......

 

Just seems to me that if any price gauging has the backing of the government then so be it but don't ever copy by example or face the the wrath!!!

 

As expats we are used to paying higher price so who really is this policy for "over pricing" supposed to protect as it's not us for sure. 

 

Im just saying..............