Locals in Thailand rush to stock up on food after the announcement of the Emergency Decree that came into effect on 26 March 2020.
One of the most popular products is chicken eggs as they are in almost every kitchen and can be used in endless recipes. There is no shortage of eggs, but sellers are taking this time as an opportunity to make more profit than usual.
Thailand currently has the ability to produce about 40 million eggs per day, out of this number about 2 million of those eggs are exported.
The Pathumthani Ministry of Commerce (MOC) received notifications from citizens that a shop named Jae Mai in the main city of Pathumthani Province has been selling eggs at an overpriced price point, higher than the MOC state price control list.
Officials went to inspect the shop located in Than Petch market and met Suthep Yamthanom the owner. A tray of size 0 eggs (30 eggs) are sold for 170 THB. The market price for size 0 eggs according to the MOC website is 3.50-3.60 THB per egg or about 105-108 per tray.
The shop had no clear reason as to why they were selling at such a high price because the shop had at least 10,000 eggs in stock on the date of inspection. The shop owner was arrested.
Chairat Bunsong from the Pathumthani MOC stated that many citizens have complained that eggs are really expensive.
The sellers are taking advantage of the Covid-19 situation as they know well that eggs are in high demand. These sellers are in breach of the Goods and Services Act B.E 2542, Section 28,29,40, and 41. Punishment is imprisonment not exceeding 7 years, or a fine not exceeding 140,000, or both.
The suspect was sent to the Pak Khlong Rangsit Police Station.
