File photo for reference only

 

In a robust move to ensure consumer safety and uphold market standards, Thailand’s Commerce Ministry has initiated a task force dedicated to combating the influx of subpar products nationwide. This initiative is spearheaded by Deputy Commerce Minister Napintorn Srisunpang, who highlighted a sector-wide crackdown on imported goods, particularly those purchased online.

 

Between September and December 2024, the authorities have already undertaken legal measures in 21,227 instances, with reported damages reaching a staggering 1.14 billion baht. This effort has led to the seizure of various items, including supplements, food, medicines, medical equipment, cosmetics, electrical appliances, and power banks.

 

Minister Napintorn outlined plans for short- and long-term strategies, emphasising an increase in both the frequency and rigour of product inspections.

 

This development follows the third assembly of the Subcommittee on Promoting Thai SMEs and Addressing Low-Quality Imported Goods, which agreed to launch the task force with a clear mandate to address violations of product standards and foreign ownership laws across the nation.

The meeting also assessed proposals from the Federation of Thai Industries (FTI), which urged the government to tighten commerce regulations and bolster support for local enterprises.

 

Key areas highlighted by the FTI include stricter enforcement of product labelling laws, regulation of e-commerce platforms, and offering more considerable support for domestic manufacturers.

 

The FTI has called for enhanced countermeasures, a revision of tariff rates, and the implementation of mandatory labelling for children's clothing—whether domestic or imported—to protect consumer interests.

 

These proposals, aimed at broader oversight and improved quality control, are set to be presented to the main committee for further discussion and potential action.

 

Minister Napintorn stated that businesses should anticipate possible regulatory changes, as the Office of the Consumer Protection Board is actively evaluating measures to ensure both consumer safety and minimise business disruption. This includes mandatory labelling considerations which would significantly impact market operations.

 

In conjunction with these efforts, partnerships with online platforms have begun, aimed at enhancing the quality control of products sold in digital marketplaces.

 

This task force represents a decisive step in Thailand’s ongoing commitment to ensuring that only high-quality products reach consumers while simultaneously supporting local industry growth, reported Bangkok Post.

 

-- 2025-02-15

 

 

Maybe the problem is that many Thais buy cheap, cheap, cheap. Then it breaks down and they buy again cheap, cheap, cheap.

If they would think a little, they wouldn't do that... 

1 hour ago, OneMoreFarang said:

Maybe the problem is that many Thais buy cheap, cheap, cheap. Then it breaks down and they buy again cheap, cheap, cheap.

If they would think a little, they wouldn't do that... 

Being poor is expensive.  Most Thais don't have any other option than to buy cheap.

If a product is of poor quality it will not be purchased again...If a product is high quality and of decent value it will be purchased again...

 

There you go....The market regulating itself....

 

Also they seem to have a thing about clothing.....About 80% 90% of the clothing on market is made out of synthetic polyester  which is very well known to be bad for peoples health ....But this seems just fine to them....

 

You have to look HARD to find decent cotton clothing these days..

29 minutes ago, BrandonJT said:

Being poor is expensive.  Most Thais don't have any other option than to buy cheap.

Sometimes yes, but often people buy the cheapest of the cheapest.

I.e. electrical power bars cost maybe 50B or 100B or 200B. Many Thais will buy the 50B and will have problems.

They could buy the 100B or 200B version but somehow, they don't. Like: Is there a difference? YES! 

12 minutes ago, redwood1 said:

If a product is of poor quality it will not be purchased again...If a product is high quality and of decent value it will be purchased again...

Really?

I see people buying cheap and bad quality again and again and again.

2 hours ago, OneMoreFarang said:

Really?

I see people buying cheap and bad quality again and again and again.

My Brother in law is a good example of that. He bought a cheap extension lead for about 70 Baht. It shorted out, and actually started melting. He went back out the next day......and bought the exact same one, even though I pointed out to Him that it was not strong enough to run the appliances He was using.

6 hours ago, webfact said:

In a robust move to ensure consumer safety and uphold market standards, Thailand’s Commerce Ministry has initiated a task force dedicated to combating the influx of subpar products nationwide

Is it April yet?

4 hours ago, OneMoreFarang said:

Really?

I see people buying cheap and bad quality again and again and again.

Thai logic

When the first polyester shirts came out my mother told me they were half the price of cotton shirts. So I had to wear them even if they couldn't breathe and sweat ran down the inside in summer.

Later, I was told that the polyester mix in cotton shirts went up as far as 60%.

No one could tell the difference. Thus, if a shirt label says "cotton" it is a blend. If it says "100% cotton" it is all cotton. 

But cheap is what mums want.

In order to protect the Locally-Made Substandard Products from those made in Chiana?