The Department of Internal Trade joined forces with the Consumer Protection Police Division to conduct a sting purchase of fertilizer in Bang Ban district after discovering inflated prices soaring to 1,190 baht per sack. Authorities ordered a retrospective audit to trace the source and prevent opportunistic exploitation of farmers, while expanding complaint channels.
Mr. Witthayakorn Maneenet, Director-General of the Department of Internal Trade, revealed that after receiving complaints from farmers about abnormally high chemical fertilizer prices in Bang Ban district, Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya province, the department immediately dispatched special patrol officers to verify the facts to prevent exploitation of farmers who are facing rising production costs.
During this operation, officers from the Department of Internal Trade's patrol unit collaborated with police from the Consumer Protection Division of the Central Investigation Bureau to conduct sting purchases of chemical fertilizer based on the complaints to collect evidence. They found urea fertilizer formula 46-0-0 being sold at 1,190 baht per sack, a high price. Authorities then promptly examined sales documents and related commercial data.
Mr. Witthayakorn stated that officials will demand purchase and sales documents from the past, such as tax invoices, delivery receipts, and all cost data, to review the pricing structure and verify if it aligns with actual costs. If costs have not increased but sellers raised prices without valid reasons, this constitutes commercial opportunism and further burdens farmers who rely on fertilizer as a key input.
Such conduct violates Section 29 of the Price of Goods and Services Act B.E. 2542 (1999), which prohibits businesses from intentionally setting prices unreasonably low or high or causing price disruptions. If violations are found, legal proceedings will be pursued to the fullest extent.
Authorities are also expanding investigations to wholesale outlets and other parties in the distribution chain to trace price origins and prevent unjustified price setting from source to endpoint. If price collusion or buyer exploitation is detected, strict legal action will be taken against all involved.
The Director-General emphasized that the Department of Internal Trade will not allow opportunistic price hikes on agricultural production inputs, especially during planting seasons when farmers require large amounts of fertilizer. Unfair pricing directly impacts farmers' incomes and costs and may destabilize agricultural product prices nationwide. The department will closely monitor market prices and enforce laws rigorously to ensure fair trade and reduce farmers' cost burdens. The public is urged to act as watchdogs and report any suspicious overpricing or exploitation via the department's hotline 1569 or the Mr.DIT app’s "Complaint Reception" menu, where they can submit information along with photos or videos to facilitate prompt and effective investigations.
/ State Policy /