Bangkok: The Ministry of Commerce is continuously monitoring the situation of agricultural products, helping to solve the problem of low garlic prices, coordinating with many agencies to solve the problem and find markets to sell them. As for palm oil, legal action has been taken against more than 10 operators who have taken advantage of farmers.
According to Thai News Agency, the Ministry of Commerce, through the Department of Internal Trade, is urgently helping garlic farmers in Mae Hong Son Province after they experienced a problem with low prices. Mr. Witthayakorn Maneenet, Director-General of the Department of Internal Trade, revealed that to solve the problem urgently, the department has allocated over 100 tons of garlic for sale through the Blue Flag project in both the central and regional areas, as well as through Blue Flag mobile vehicles, and has connected processing plants and large food industry operators to purchase garlic. In addition, they have collaborated with Thailand Post Co., Ltd. to organize a project to support special-price packaging boxes so that farmers can sell garlic online more easily. There is also a push to create 'community garlic markets' in the provinces so that farmers can sell garlic directly to consumers.
Mr. Udom Srisomsong, Deputy Director-General of the Department of Internal Trade, said that the special inspection officers of the department have integrated with the officers of the provincial commercial office, the weights and measures inspectors, and officers in all areas to inspect and supervise agricultural product buyers, especially palm and rubber buyers in important plantation areas, to ensure fairness in trade. In the past, they have inspected important plantation areas such as Chumphon, Surat Thani, Nakhon Si Thammarat, Phatthalung, Satun, Songkhla, Trang, Krabi, Phang Nga, and Ranong, and have already prosecuted 8 entrepreneurs who violated the law.
During 19-23 May 2025, inspections were conducted in Krabi and Trang provinces and found that the purchasing situation was beginning to return to normal, which was close to and in line with the production capacity of the extraction plants. The purchasing price of palm fruit at 18% at the extraction plants in the area was 5.00 baht/kg and up. It was found that palm buyers did not comply with the law, and 3 cases were prosecuted for violating the announcement of the Central Committee on the Price of Goods and Services No. 69 on the determination of criteria, conditions for purchasing and displaying the purchasing price of palm oil products. Since the beginning of 2025 until now, the Department of Internal Trade has arrested and prosecuted 11 agricultural product buyers who violated the law.
The deputy director added that palm farmers should cut fully ripe palms to get a good price. He also warned business operators to comply with the law regarding the purchase of palm fruit bunches, in accordance with the criteria and conditions for purchase, including the notification of the quantity, storage location, and keeping a record of palm oil and palm oil products. He also prohibited any behavior that would cause palm fruits to fall unnaturally. If any offense is found, strict legal action will be taken. In the case of not displaying the purchase price or not displaying it in accordance with the law or causing palm fruits to fall unnaturally, the maximum penalty is imprisonment not exceeding 5 years or a fine not exceeding 100,000 baht, or both. In the case of lowering the purchase price, the penalty is imprisonment not exceeding 7 years or a fine not exceeding 140,000 baht, or both. If the quantity and storage location are not declared, the penalty is imprisonment not exceeding 1 year or a fine not ex ceeding 20,000 baht, or both, and a fine not exceeding 2,000 baht per day for the duration of the violation or until notified, according to the Price of Goods and Services Act B.E. 2542. If officials inspect and find any of the above offenses, strict legal action will be taken.