All power to Prajin
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Transport Minister Prajin Juntong has stated his intention to introduce competition into Thailand's duty free shops at airports.
More power to him in his attempts to break King Power’s stranglehold on duty free shops.
King Power has abused its monopoly for too long with pricing that could be described as extortion.
Let me give you two examples.
I sometimes like a tipple of Thailand’s Regency Brandy after dinner. At my local “mom-and-pop” store it costs about Bt500. King Power charges more than Bt700.
In a similar fashion Thai Sang Som rum is marked up by several hundred baht above its retail price on the street.
Prajin should allow at least another two duty free operators at airports so as to provide real competition and to break the monopoly that King Power has exploited for years. This would provide a fairer deal for both Thai and foreign travellers.
David Brown
Rayong
