Bangkok: "Supamas" inspects offering sets for monks, checking labels in preparation for Asalha Puja and Buddhist Lent. The Minister attached to the Prime Minister's Office, along with representatives from several agencies, inspected shops selling Buddhist offering sets and traditional Thai gift sets in the Sao Chingcha area of Bangkok. They instructed business operators to comply with consumer protection laws and advised the public to check labels and expiration dates before purchasing.
According to Thai News Agency, Ms. Supamas Isarabhakdi, Minister attached to the Prime Minister's Office, along with officials from the Office of the Consumer Protection Board (OCPB), the Department of Internal Trade, Ministry of Commerce, the Consumer Protection Police, Phra Nakhon District Office officials, and the Consumer Council, inspected shops selling Buddhist offering sets and traditional Thai offering sets at the Si Kak Sao Chingcha intersection on Bamrung Mueang Road, Phra Nakhon District, Bangkok, ahead of Asalha Puja and Buddhist Lent. The inspection focused on verifying the accuracy of product labeling, pricing, and the quality of items within the offering sets. This followed continuous complaints regarding low-quality products, products nearing or expired, and the mixing of food items with strong-smelling products such as detergent, which could affect food quality and pose a health risk to consumers.
Ms. Suphamas emphasized that merit-making gift sets are regulated products requiring proper labeling according to the law. Businesses must display complete details, including a list of items contained within, the size, weight, or volume of each item, the packaging date, the name and address of the manufacturer or distributor, and the expiration date of the earliest-expiring item within the gift set, so that consumers can clearly verify the information.
If a set of offerings for monks includes food and products that may affect food quality, such as detergent, cleaning products, or strong-smelling items, there must be a clear warning label to prevent contamination that could be harmful. Before purchasing a set of offerings for monks, consumers should check that it has legally correct labeling, complete product details, a clear expiration date, and that the total price of the items inside can be calculated. The selling price should be commensurate with the actual value of the goods and should not be excessively high.
Ms. Suphamas stated that the inspections will be expanded to provincial areas continuously, in collaboration with agencies in each province, to prevent the sale of substandard Buddhist offering sets. If the public encounters the sale of illegal products or is exploited in purchasing goods, they can file a complaint with the Consumer Protection Board (CPB) or other relevant agencies for investigation and legal enforcement.