There are sufficient fruit and vegetables in Bangkok’s markets to meet the demands of Thai-Chinese residents during the Chinese New Year celebrations next week, according to Udom Srisongkram, deputy director-general of the Internal Department

He said yesterday (Thursday) that officials have surveyed Bangkok’s two main wholesale markets, Talad Thai and Talad Simummuang, and found that there are sufficient domestic tropical fruit and imported fruit, with the exception of papaya, which is in short supply due to flooding last year.

The deputy director-general added, however, that the prices of most vegetables and imported fruit have increased slightly since last year, which he attributed to increased transportation costs.

Thai-Chinese residents usually buy fruits, such as green bananas, apples, oranges and tangerines, for use in ceremonies to pay respect to their ancestors at Chinese New Year.

Udom said officials have been instructed to monitor the prices of fruit and vegetables, to prevent vendors from taking advantage of the upcoming celebrations to increase prices.

He also warned vendors to display price tags on their products, as failing to do so could result in fines of up to 10,000 baht, adding that profiteering may result in a jail term of up to seven years and/or a fine of 140,000 if convicted.

He asked consumers to report to any overpricing to the department via hotline number 1569 in case of Bangkok and to provincial offices of the department upcountry.

Source: Thai Public Broadcasting Service