Government Cracks Down on Price Gouging During Floods
The Commerce Ministry has implemented strict price controls since late September to prevent gouging during flooding, with authorities monitoring prices and accepting reports via hotline 1569. Military vehicles are being deployed to deliver
Deputy Prime Minister and Commerce Minister Suphajee Suthammapun announced on September 28 at Government House that the Commerce Ministry has implemented strict price controls since September 24 to prevent exploitation during flooding. Provincial commerce offices and the Internal Trade Department have been ordered to monitor prices, ensure clear price labeling, and prevent abnormal price increases. Anyone spotting price gouging can report it to hotline 1569, overseen by Deputy Permanent Secretary of Commerce Chakra Yodmani, who coordinates reports from provincial offices nationwide.
Regarding product shortages in Bangkok, Suphajee acknowledged that some locations face stock issues because commercial trucks cannot reach certain flooded areas. The ministry has coordinated with the Defence Ministry to deploy military vehicles for goods delivery to affected zones. In Bangkok, roughly 30,000 flood victims have been identified in the Lat Krabang area, with coordination underway to supply fresh and dry goods.
She noted that in other provinces, particularly Sakaeo, where fresh food is scarce, military trucks have been deployed to deliver supplies through Kabinburi District in Prachuap Khiri Khan to Sakaeo. The Commerce Ministry is addressing both shortages and abnormal price increases; the public can report violations to hotline 1569. When asked about weakening fourth-quarter purchasing power due to flooding, Suphajee said the ministry, in coordination with Deputy Prime Minister Ekniti Nitivattananon, has reserved 300 million baht to support the Thailand Helps Thailand programme, which has been running since April. Phase 2 will focus on supplying affordable essential goods, with priority given to flood-affected areas.
