Price freeze ordered for Veg Festival

PHUKET CITY: To prevent price-gouging in the upcoming Phuket Vegetarian Festival, the Phuket Internal Trade Office (PITO) has announced that they will inspect shops to ensure that prices of vegetables and other festival supplies are not above currently recorded market prices, and that prices are clearly marked on all products.

Phuket Commercial Affairs Chief Thada Piyaporn said that more vegetables will be eaten during the festival, but that supply may be limited due to the flooding in north and central Thailand, tempting shop owners to raise their prices.

K. Thada said that the maximum penalty for vendors selling produce at prices higher than the ceiling prices is a fine of up to 140,000 baht. Shop owners who do not clearly label the price of produce can face charges of up to 400 baht for individuals, and up to 2,000 baht for businesses.

The PITO will also host a daily fresh produce market October 20 to 30, from 10 am to 4 pm. The fair will be held at Queen Sirikit Park on Thalang Rd and will allow local farmers to sell their products directly to the public.

The price of vegetables, fruit and other products used in cooking vegetarian fare will be 10%-15% lower than the market price, said PITO Chief Sompoch Sungkapong, adding that most of the vegetables on sale at the fair will have been grown organically.

For more details about the Vegetarian Festival see https://thethaiger.com/news/index.asp?Id=5286

For a list of the festival procession routes, see thethaiger.com/bulletins