“Phumtham” orders Commerce Ministry to take care of essential goods in flooded areas

'Phumtham' urgently orders to take care of essential goods in flooded areas, to prevent the public from being affected, and to have the Commerce Ministry set up a low-cost Blue Flag campaign, coordinating with department stores to reduce prices on construction materials, cleaning products, and to take care of living expenses after the water recedes. On August 25, 2024, at Wat Amphawan (Muang Tai), Tambon Si Phum, Amphoe Tha Wang Pha, Nan Province, Mr. Phumtham Vejjayachai, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Commerce, revealed after visiting the area to monitor the flood situation that he had ordered Mr. Wutthikrai Leewiraphan, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Commerce, to prepare to assist farmers, people and the business sector affected by the flood in the northern provinces and to take care of the prices of goods necessary for living by ordering the Department of Internal Trade and the provincial commerce offices in the area to closely monitor and follow up to prevent any impact on the people. I n terms of taking care of essential products for living and home repair products, it was reported that the Department of Internal Trade had a meeting with wholesalers and retailers, local department stores, convenience stores, and construction material stores such as HomePro, Thai Watsadu, Dohome, Global House, Mega Home, Makro, Big C, Lotus, Go Wholesale, 7-Eleven, the Thai Retailers and Wholesalers Heirs Club, Nimseseng Company Limited, and the Internal Security Operations Command (ISOC) to supply products to the area and take care of transportation. It was confirmed that there were enough products, that transportation was not a problem, and that they were ready to organize a promotion to reduce prices on products to help the public, especially for essential products, including materials and equipment for repairs and cleaning. In addition, the provincial commercial office has been instructed to supervise the posting of price tags and strictly prohibit any opportunistic price increases. If any wrongdoing is found, legal action will be taken strictly. Failure to display price tags will result in a fine not exceeding 10,000 baht, and selling goods at unreasonably high prices will result in imprisonment not exceeding 7 years or a fine not exceeding 140,000 baht, or both. If members of the public encounter behavior that is considered illegal or unfair, they can file a complaint via the Department of Internal Trade hotline at 1569, via the @MR.DIT Line application, or via the provincial commercial offices in every province. However, after the flood recedes, the Ministry of Commerce will take care of and reduce the cost of living for the people by assigning the Department of Internal Trade to coordinate with the provincial commercial office to organize low-priced Blue Flag products, bringing in products necessary for living, including consumer goods, cleaning products, and home repair products. Source: Thai News Agency