Commerce ministry monitoring sales and prices of ATK kits

[snoop1130]

 

BANGKOK (NNT) - Prices of Covid Antigen Test Kits (ATKs) are now pulling back after having risen toward the end of last month due to heightened demand and diminished stocks. Meanwhile, the Ministry of Commerce is asserting that ATKs are controlled items and excessive pricing by sellers will entail penalties.

 

Mrs. Mallika Boonmeetrakul Mahasuk, an advisor to the Minister of Commerce, said the Department of Internal Trade (DIT) and provincial offices of the Ministry of Commerce has been tasked with keeping watch over the sale and the prices of ATKs. Said monitoring is being applied to offline and online sales, as well as to drug stores and elsewhere. The ministerial advisor asks that people report excessively priced ATKs to the DIT hotline number 1569 or to any provincial Commerce office. The penalty for the offender may involve a maximum fine of 140,000 baht or a maximum prison sentence of 7 years or a combination of both.

 

According to Mrs. Mallika, prices of some brands of ATKs appreciated slightly at the turn of the year because of heightened demand and diminished stocks, with new items ordered by sellers not having yet been delivered. However, prices have now returned to normal and are expected to either remain at the current level or depreciate further. She explained the latter would be the case if more of the products are brought into the market, and there are now more businesses that have been licensed by the Food and Drug Administration to import ATKs. Mrs. Mallika added that free ATK handouts by public agencies and the Government Pharmaceutical Organization’s sale of affordable ATKs have also tamed buyers’ demand.

 

According to data as of January 5, ATK prices ranged between 40-350 baht per kit at drug stores whereas online prices ranged between 38-390 baht per kit.

 

-- © Copyright NNT 2022-01-10

 

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[jacko45k]

Supposed to be 75, my Mrs paid 95 today, a farang friend paid 120!

[pattjock]

Why don't they simply publish a list of approved ATK tests and their maximum price??

[jethro69]

3 hours ago, jacko45k said:

Supposed to be 75, my Mrs paid 95 today, a farang friend paid 120!

In the same shop, I assume ????

[jethro69]

3 hours ago, pattjock said:

Why don't they simply publish a list of approved ATK tests and their maximum price??

Not applicable in Thailand, it would make too much sense.

[hamleknoi]

How much quality is there in a 38 baht kit? None.
 

 

[hotchilli]

14 hours ago, snoop1130 said:

According to data as of January 5, ATK prices ranged between 40-350 baht per kit at drug stores whereas online prices ranged between 38-390 baht per kit.

So what is the correct price of an ATK kit?

[cauldlad]

My wife went out in Soi Buakhow to get some on Sunday morning.

 

7/11 were sold out so she went into a pharmacy. The robbing barstewards were charging 110bt so it appears it does not make any difference if you are Thai or farang as far as what you are charged.

 

I ordered some from Lazada 59bt

[jacko45k]

2 hours ago, cauldlad said:

so it appears it does not make any difference if you are Thai or farang as far as what you are charged.

 

I would be surprised..... have we got ill tempered hawkers coming round the bars selling them yet?

[cauldlad]

1 hour ago, jacko45k said:

I would be surprised..... have we got ill tempered hawkers coming round the bars selling them yet?

Not yet but I do not think it will be very long before they start.