The Department of Internal Trade is taking legal action. LPG filling stations and retailers are selling gas cylinders that are not fully filled. This issue has been found in many areas and is seen as opportunistic exploitation that worsens the plight of consumers. Authorities are rushing to ensure fairness while also reducing living costs.
The Department of Internal Trade (DIT) is intensifying inspections of the filling and sale of LPG cylinders after receiving complaints from citizens across various regions about cylinders not being fully filled. This directly impacts living costs. Officials have inspected from filling stations and major retailers down to local shops to prevent consumer exploitation and promote fair trade alongside the department's cost-of-living reduction activities.
Ms. Yanee Srimanee, Deputy Director-General of the Department of Internal Trade, revealed that currently, people face rising living costs due to increasing energy and oil prices. Purchasing products without receiving the full quantity paid for unfairly adds to their hardship. The department prioritizes monitoring product quantities alongside price controls, since even selling at normal prices but with incomplete quantities constitutes opportunistic consumer exploitation.
During random checks at LPG retail outlets in Mueang District, Nonthaburi Province, officials found irregularities from weight sampling of some gas cylinders. The net weight did not match the labeled amount and deviated beyond legal limits. Consequently, fines were issued, and filling stations were ordered to correct their filling processes before further sales to protect consumers.
Additionally, special patrols from the department uncovered cases at LPG filling stations in Nonthaburi and Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya provinces where 57 cylinders were underfilled, with net weights not matching their labels. Legal action under the 1999 Weights and Measures Act was taken at Bang Bua Thong and Wang Noi Police Stations. Inspections in Yasothon, Khon Kaen, and Chonburi provinces found major distributors selling underfilled LPG cylinders, violating Section 85 of the same Act and its 2014 amendments. They were fined 20,000 baht each, their LPG cylinders were seized, and they were ordered to make corrections before further sales.
At the retail level, violations were found in Pathum Thani, Chachoengsao, and Satun provinces, where LPG cylinders were sold with inaccurate net weights. Officials fined each retailer 10,000 baht to enforce trade standards and prevent consumer exploitation.
The Deputy Director-General of the Department of Internal Trade added that these inspections are part of both routine plans and responsive actions to citizen complaints, combined with proactive monitoring. The goal is to ensure LPG sales are accurate, transparent, and consumers receive the full quantity paid for.The departmentwill continue random nationwide inspections and has instructed filling stations and retailers to check gas weights before any transfer or sale.
Ms. Yanee further stated, "Alongside ensuring fairness, the Department of Internal Trade continues cost-of-living reduction measures through the 'Blue Flag Cost Reduction' project, which has expanded sales points from about 60 to over 500 nationwide. This helps people access affordable consumer goods and links raw materials directly to restaurants, lowering costs for entrepreneurs and enabling reasonable food prices to ease public financial burdens during this crisis."
Ms. Yanee concluded,"If the public observesunfair sales practices or suspects that LPG cylinders are underfilled, such as gas running out faster than usual, they can report tips via the Department of Internal Trade hotline at 1569 or through the Mr.DIT application under the 'Complaints' menu. They can attach photos or videos to help officials promptly investigate and take legal action.""
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