Commerce minister promises tough action on car seat manufacturers fleecing public - price help on the way

[webfact]

Picture: Thai Rath

 

Thai media continued to explore every angle after it was announced that car seats would be mandatory for children up to the age of 6 in Thailand from September.

 

Yesterday political heavyweight Jarin Laksanavisit, the deputy prime minister, commerce minister and leader of the Democrat Party was at Central Plaza Rattanathibet in Bangkok addressing the issue.

 

He said that car seats come in all shapes and sizes and are available in Thailand from 1,000 baht up to 30,000 baht, reported Thai Rath.

 

He said that manufacturers and importers could register their products with the Department of Internal Trade so that discounts of 50-60% could be made to consumers under a discount scheme.

 

Keep up to date with all things Thailand - Join our daily ASEAN NOW Thailand Newsletter - Click to subscribe

 

So a 4,000 baht item could be purchased for under 2,000 baht. 

 

But he warned manufacturers and retailors that price gouging would not be tolerated and that inspections would take place at shops, department stores and on online platforms. 

 

He warned of 140,000 baht fines and 7 year jail terms for taking advantage of consumers.

 

He urged consumers to call 1569 to report infractions. 

 

Changes to the law were announced this week; children will have to sit in car seats or booster seats after a 120 day waiting period following the announcement in the Government Gazette. 

 

-- © Copyright  ASEAN NOW 2022-05-14

 

- Cigna offers a range of visa-compliant plans that meet the minimum requirement of medical treatment, including COVID-19, up to THB 3m. For more information on all expat health insurance plans click here.

 

Get your business in front of millions of customers who read ASEAN NOW with an interest in Thailand every month - email [email protected] for more information

[ezzra]

Yeah i can see now how the children of Thailand on motorcycles, pickups and trucks are seated in a 'mandated' child seats...

[spidermike007]

Absolute fiction. Never seen anything in the way of consumer advocacy here. Fascism is partly defined by government being in bed with corporations. They are as earnest about helping the consumer, as they are about cleaning up the environment, dealign with traffic safety, and fixing the air pollution issues here.  

[hotchilli]

6 hours ago, webfact said:

But he warned manufacturers and retailors that price gouging would not be tolerated and that inspections would take place at shops, department stores and on online platforms.

So far all measures have failed to keep prices down along with inflation, why do they think this is going to work with child seats?

The mere fact that this is going to be mandatory is going to open a flood of gouging.

[zzaa09]

6 hours ago, spidermike007 said:

Absolute fiction. Never seen anything in the way of consumer advocacy here. Fascism is partly defined by government being in bed with corporations. They are as earnest about helping the consumer, as they are about cleaning up the environment, dealign with traffic safety, and fixing the air pollution issues here.  

Bingo! 

The Corporatism model has been the universal economic/political practice the world over for a few generations. 

[dinsdale]

So does that mean the cheap Bt1000 Chinese rubbish will be cheaper. Haven't seen anything at all about quality/safety issues. Even if there was I'm sure kickbacks are alredy in place.

[KannikaP]

7 hours ago, webfact said:

Changes to the law were announced this week; children will have to sit in car seats or booster seats after a 120 day waiting period following the announcement in the Government Gazette. 

I wonder how many under 6s will be killed in those 4 month's wait.

So really it doesn't come in until Jan 23.

[Bluespunk]

7 hours ago, webfact said:

But he warned manufacturers and retailors that price gouging would not be tolerated

Does the commerce department not understand the basics of supply and demand.

 

If demand exceeds supply then prices will rise.
 

Fair enough subsidise purchases but you cannot control market price mechanisms. 
 

“It's a fundamental economic principle that when supply exceeds demand for a good or service, prices fall. When demand exceeds supply, prices tend to rise.”

 

https://www.investopedia.com/ask/answers/033115/how-does-law-supply-and-demand-affect-prices.asp#:~:text=It's a fundamental economic principle,services when demand is unchanged.

Edited May 14, 2022 by Bluespunk

[JimmyJ]

"He urged consumers to call 1569 to report infractions."

 

What Department is at 1569?