Commerce Ministry asks firms to hold prices for flood recovery
The Department of Internal Trade has asked retailers and service providers to hold prices and offer discounts on home and vehicle repairs after flooding.
Thailand’s Department of Internal Trade (DIT) has asked retailers, service providers and carmakers to keep prices unchanged and prepare stocks, spare parts and repair services to support households recovering from flooding.
Director-General Wattanasak Sur-iam said the department had met businesses involved in post-flood recovery and asked them to ensure adequate supplies of products and replacement parts, replenish stocks quickly and distribute goods to areas where demand is rising.
Businesses have also been asked to ensure sufficient numbers of technicians and repair services are available once floodwaters recede.
The cooperation covers three main groups.
The first comprises construction materials and home-repair suppliers, including HomePro, Dohome, Thai Watsadu, Mega Home and Global House.
The second covers electrical appliances and cleaning equipment, involving CP Axtra, HomePro, Mega Home, Global House, Power Buy, Power Mall, Central, Robinson, Dohome, Thai Watsadu and Big C.
Automotive service centres and carmakers form the third group. Participating service providers include FIT Auto, Cockpit, TYREPLUS, B-Quik, Autoclik, AUTOBACS and MMS, alongside Toyota, Ford, Isuzu, Mitsubishi and Nissan.
Discounts and repair services sought
DIT has also asked businesses to introduce promotions to ease household expenses during the recovery period.
Possible measures include discounts on essential home-repair products, free or discounted inspections and repair services, trade-in campaigns, instalment programmes and special rates for vehicle inspections and repairs.
Wattanasak said businesses would consider additional assistance measures and inform the department of their plans as soon as possible.
The department has also invited wholesale and retail operators selling consumer goods, construction materials and home furnishings to take part in special sales points offering essential and home-repair products.
The sales are planned at local, provincial and regional levels under the “Thais Help Thais: Blue Flag Cost-of-Living Relief” programme.
DIT has also asked private companies to contribute essential supplies for distribution to people affected by the floods.
