FRIDAY, March 29, 2024
nationthailand

The dark side of our consumer paradise

The dark side of our consumer paradise

While it may be true that wholesale and retail chains have turned Thailand into a consumers' paradise, these outlets have also swept away traditional mom-and-pop stores, middlemen and even small farming families. They pose other dangers to society as well

For example, shoppers are attracted by the beautiful vegetables sold at these outlets, but recent studies reveal that veggies bought from supermarkets often contain more pesticides than those from traditional markets. 
Recently there has been a merging of a wholesale and retail business under the control of one rich tycoon.
This merger will enable his conglomerate to acquire wholesale products even cheaper and sell them at retail prices to consumers through its outlets.
This new entity will have an even more formidable economy of scale – and thus more control in the market.
And yet there are still no laws in Thailand to protect the little folk who are eking out a miserable living in rural areas.
Vint Chavala
nationthailand