Consumer Protection Police Division officers teamed up with Department of Internal Trade officials on March 5 in a sting operation that nabbed a merchant for allegedly selling masks at unreasonably high prices.
The two teams pretended to purchase 80 boxes (8,000 face masks) as part of the operation, finding that some of the masks were being sold at Bt15 each at a restaurant in Bangkok.
They said selling masks, which is a controlled product, at an unreasonably high price is an offence under the Price of Goods and Services Act BE 1999, which calls for imprisonment of not more than seven years or a fine of not over Bt140,000 or both.
Since February 7, 51 merchants have been arrested for selling overpriced masks and 31,676 items seized.
People have been requested to call Hotline 1135 if they see masks being hoarded or sold at unreasonably high prices.
