Government vows to act after complaints of shops exploiting subsidy scheme

By The Nation

 

 

The Department of Internal Trade (DIT) is taking action against stores that are abusing privileges under the government's subsidised shopping scheme.

 

The DIT said that 277 people had filed complaints via the department's hotline 1569 about stores taking undue advantage of the “Khon La Khrueng” (Let's Go Halves) scheme.

 

DIT deputy director-general Wattanasak Sur-iam said after the government launched the scheme on October 23, the department had cooperated with provincial commerce offices in inspecting stores that participated in the scheme to prevent retailers from taking advantage of people.

 

He said125 people had filed complaints about Blue Flag stores and 152 had complained about stores taking part in the subsidy scheme. He said retailers used various methods to take advantage of people, such as jacking up prices, removing price tags on products, showing price tags in other languages and violating rules.

 

"The department has filed a lawsuit under The Price of Goods and Services Act, BE 2542 (1999) against these stores," he said. "Meanwhile, we found that most of the stores under the scheme had jacked-up product prices to receive the government's subsidy."

 

He added that those who take advantage of people would face more than just the Bt140,000 fine or seven years imprisonment or both.

 

"The department would also suspend privileges of Blue Flag shops who violate the rules," he added.

 

Source: https://www.nationthailand.com/news/30399158

 

 

-- © Copyright The Nation Thailand 2020-12-07

 

- Whatever you're going through, the Samaritans are here for you

- Follow Thaivisa on LINE for breaking COVID-19 updates

38 minutes ago, webfact said:

he said. "Meanwhile, we found that most of the stores under the scheme had jacked-up product prices to receive the government's subsidy."

So, the Department of Internal trade thinks most Thai shops in the scheme are dishonest ? Speaks volumes

Edited December 6, 20205 yr by RichardColeman

3 hours ago, webfact said:

"Meanwhile, we found that most of the stores under the scheme had jacked-up product prices to receive the government's subsidy."

My wife's pizza joint recently signed up for this 50/50 promotion and the participation has been almost overwhelming. Our prices have stayed the same and the DIT deputy director-general Wattanasak Sur-iam is more than welcomed to stop by and see for himself. But, I hope he doesn't as we are just too damn busy. I say we, but I should have said they. I don't do squat except to smile for photographs...

 

Edited December 7, 20205 yr by George Bowman

46 minutes ago, George Bowman said:

I don't do squat except to smile for photographs...

 

Well that and write messages on the chalkboard. Looks like you handle customer complaints?

 

 

 

No problems at our local fresh markets out here on the edge of BKK. Prices are the same and clearly marked. Chicken, pork, eggs, veggies. Good deals. They pack up and weigh the stuff, my wife and the vendors scan each other’s phones for payment, and we’re off. Easy.

I thought they didn´t celebrate christmas here. What the heck! Ya don´t know what we can do to squeeze you gor a few extra bucks.

Government handouts and subsidies are probably well-intentioned. Especially if the truly needy benefit.

 

Not sure if the people utilizing this scheme are needy? Do they have smartphones?

 

Now if some folks were utlilizing this system and then donating the food, or prepared food, to those in need then I'd say bravo.

 

 

 

 

I was behind a young Thai man and his wife in the gourmet market check-out in the basement of Terminal 21. He was buying some items I would call non-essential, and couldn't get the app to work right. He kept trying and the line behind me got longer and longer. Finally he and the clerk got it figured out. Curious if this is normal.