Phuket provincial commerce officials have inspected vendors at Patong Beach after reports that coconuts were being sold to tourists for 150 baht each, raising concerns over pricing standards in a key tourist area. Authorities found most sellers displaying clear price signs, typically listing coconuts at 100 baht per fruit. The inspection aims to protect consumers and maintain the island’s tourism image.

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The investigation followed a viral TikTok post claiming a coconut purchase at 150 baht, prompting questions about fair pricing. On 24 April, Ms Woranit Apiratchirawong, Phuket Provincial Commerce Officer, assigned a joint team with Patong Municipality officials to conduct spot checks along the beachfront. Officers reviewed pricing displays and spoke with vendors about cost structures and sales practices.

Vendors told officials that coconut costs range between 30 and 40 baht per fruit depending on transport and seasonal factors. Additional expenses include ice for cooling, labour, and losses from unsold stock, which typically must be discarded within three days. These factors were cited to justify retail pricing, though most sellers were found to comply with the 100 baht level.

Local operators also explained that beachfront sales are organised into zones managed by community enterprise groups. However, authorities acknowledged that unauthorised individuals may have infiltrated the area to sell goods without permission. Officials said enforcement would be stepped up to prevent such activity and avoid damage to Phuket’s tourism reputation.

To standardise practices, the Phuket Provincial Commerce Office has coordinated with Patong Municipality to hold meetings with all operators between 27 and 30 April 2026. The sessions will reinforce compliance with the Central Committee on Prices of Goods and Services Announcement No. 68 (2025) regarding mandatory price display. Violations of pricing regulations or failure to follow the law will result in penalties applied in stages.

Daily News reported that authorities say the move is intended to ensure transparency, fair pricing, and consistency across vendors as Phuket continues to attract large numbers of international visitors.

Picture courtesy of Daily News

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Adapted by ASEAN Now Dailynews 26 Apr 2026

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Why interfere?

Everybody should be able to sell at the price they want. The market will solve it. Too expensive results in non of lower sales. Or should low pricing also being monitored? If I want to sell a coconut for 200 THB it is my business even if I don't sell 1. But I also should not complain than.

Nothing new here!

Recall back August 2025, Bangkok’s Michelin-starred Jay Fai restaurant was charging ฿4,000 for a crab omelette, exceeding their listed ฿1,500 THB price.

The restaurant was fined ฿2,000 for violating the Price of Goods and Services Act, which requires clear pricing.

While the initial fine was laughingly small, authorities did warn at the time that overcharging can result in a jail term of up to seven years, a fine of up to ฿140,000, or both.

I once got ripped off for a plate of crab fried rice and 10 years later it still irritates me!

22 hours ago, ikke1959 said:

Why interfere?

Everybody should be able to sell at the price they want. The market will solve it. Too expensive results in non of lower sales. Or should low pricing also being monitored? If I want to sell a coconut for 200 THB it is my business even if I don't sell 1. But I also should not complain than.

22 hours ago, ikke1959 said:

Why interfere?

Everybody should be able to sell at the price they want. The market will solve it. Too expensive results in non of lower sales. Or should low pricing also being monitored? If I want to sell a coconut for 200 THB it is my business even if I don't sell 1. But I also should not complain than.

Why because then the Taxi's think it's okay because the coconut guy can rip people off. Then other businesses say if it's okay for the Coconut guy and Taxi's to rip people off then why can't I.

You want to get a bad image have social media keep posting about Scams, Rip-offs in Thailand.

Not good for Thailand's image and for attracting tourists.

Free Market, Learn to say no thank you and take your business to a cheaper seller.

I agree the coconut girls on Beach Road in Pattaya prices are just too high..Something must be done...

Someone wants to sell something for whatever price they want then what's the problem. If someone is willing to pay it then up to them.

Like telling apple to sell their vastly overpriced phones at half price 🤣

2 hours ago, J Branche said:

Why because then the Taxi's think it's okay because the coconut guy can rip people off. Then other businesses say if it's okay for the Coconut guy and Taxi's to rip people off then why can't I.

You want to get a bad image have social media keep posting about Scams, Rip-offs in Thailand.

Not good for Thailand's image and for attracting tourists.

The image of Thailand is damaged a lot already...Too much scams, double standards, airpollution, dangerous roads, overpriced accommodations, aggressive ladyboys and the list goes on..

A overpriced coconut will not do that much harm and the customer decides to buy and pay the expensive coconut or not...The seller must be able to ask as he wants, but the buyer decides in the end

2 hours ago, ronster said:

Someone wants to sell something for whatever price they want then what's the problem. If someone is willing to pay it then up to them.

Like telling apple to sell their vastly overpriced phones at half price 🤣

Fair comment really- if the item is over priced the market ultimately will reject it- simple as that

Just back from Ratanakorn market and (a single) coconut start at thb 18 and believe farm gate price are below thb 10 at the moment. For those who believe consumer protection is some communist ideology its NOT!

All the while the actual coconut growers are getting rich hand over fist when they get their 1/2 to 2 Baht per coconut from their compatriot middle men!

On 4/26/2026 at 5:57 AM, Georgealbert said:

though most sellers were found to comply with the 100 baht level.

Comply!? Comply with what - is there a law that limits the price of cocounts?

On 4/26/2026 at 5:57 AM, Georgealbert said:

beachfront sales are organised into zones managed by community enterprise groups

Ah yes, "Communty Enterprise Groups" i.e. influential people who have significant control over public spaces through dubious means.

3 hours ago, SABloke said:

Comply!? Comply with what - is there a law that limits the price of cocounts?

Understand you argue a rip off is totally acceptable and consumer globally should be left on their own. Is that philosophy restricted to coconut or does it cover the entire global market?

I remember more than a decade ago, 250 baht for one coconut juice at the airport...

how expensive are they now ? 2 baht because the price crashed?

21 hours ago, Tailwagsdog said:

Free Market, Learn to say no thank you and take your business to a cheaper seller.

Exactly. If you buy my Mazda6 auto for US$7,000 and it's only worth $5,000 that's on you.

Buyer beware you coconut 😂

It’s also up to the merchants how much they are paying for the coconuts. If their broker is too expensive, find another. Coconuts are cheap these days so they should be able to find some at a decent price. The only place you seem to find expensive coconuts is in the tourist areas.

Understand you argue a rip off is totally acceptable and consumer globally should be left on their own. Is that philosophy restricted to coconut or does it cover the entire global market?

I asked whether there is a law that regulates coconut prices since the word "comply" was used in the article and there are many laws/regulations in Thailand that DO regulate pricing. Where did I argue that a rip-off is totally acceptable? I hate rip-offs and avoid buying from people that try to fleece me.

51 minutes ago, SABloke said:

I asked whether there is a law that regulates coconut prices since the word "comply" was used in the article and there are many laws/regulations in Thailand that DO regulate pricing. Where did I argue that a rip-off is totally acceptable? I hate rip-offs and avoid buying from people that try to fleece me.

Unfortunately is coconut (and fruit) not covered by the recent Key Controlled Goods Act where approval from government is required to jack prices and as so did the seller do nothing illigal....but being one of those bloody greedy a.holes fleecing tourist and damage Thailand reputation. One of the few occasions I can think of vloggers could do a decent job.... name and shame the bastards!

On 4/27/2026 at 11:04 AM, ikke1959 said:

The image of Thailand is damaged a lot already...Too much scams, double standards, airpollution, dangerous roads, overpriced accommodations, aggressive ladyboys and the list goes on..

A overpriced coconut will not do that much harm and the customer decides to buy and pay the expensive coconut or not...The seller must be able to ask as he wants, but the buyer decides in the end

We say this but don't really know how much of these events are picked up by outside media sources.

Totally agree there is plenty of work to be done to improve some things in Thailand