Thai Retailers Face up to Bt10,000 Fine if Caught Raising School Uniform Prices

In realizing of the parents’ burdens during the new school terms, the Department of  Internal Trade (DIT) is now sending officials to check at various shopping centers, retail markets to make sure that they complied with the department’s call for cooperation not to raise prices of school items.

The check, ahead of the “back to school” campaign, taking place until May 10, aimed at urging retailers to clearly put up price tags and signs on all school items. Violated could face up to 10,000 baht fine.

DIT director-general Boonyarit Kalayanamit said after checking some shopping centers that parents were interested in purchasing school uniforms,  stationary, and consumable items at this  campaign.

So far, there have been no complaints of price raises as most major producers have agreed to give discount to help parents cope with the high cost of living, while schools that designate special uniforms also responded to the ITD’s request.

The price for student uniforms are still reported at normal rates, while the Ministry of Commerce is monitoring the price movement of consumable products such as vegetable oil, eggs, and cooking gas, he said.

Sellers have also been asked to place price labels for the items on sale to give buyers clear information, while unfair price hikes and neglect of price labels are punishable by law.

Boonyarit also said that producers of daily necessary products have also been asked to lower the prices of 19 consumer items such as washing powder, toothpaste and dish soap.

He said price of products on a sensitive list such as cooking oil, eggs, cooking gas and fuel have been monitored on a daily basis to prevent price increases.