BANGKOK, Jan 14 – Commerce Ministry on Tuesday affirmed that goods and supplies are still sufficient for sale at and around protest sites, while prices are reasonable.
Internal Trade Department Director General Somchart Soithong said fresh goods are best-selling items. There is no trouble of the transportation of goods, he noted.
Thai Transportation and Logistics Association president Worawit Charoenwatanaphan said he has found no trouble sending goods to entrepreneurs in Bangkok during the ongoing shutdown by anti-government demonstrators, for large retailers have already stocked their supplies.
Development of Thai Capital Retailers Association president Suwit Kingkaew commented that situations are still normal regarding goods sales. People still shop at department stores, though providing a shorter period of services when located near protest sites. Convenience stores have seen improved sales during the capital’s
shutdown.
He said should the protest continue for two weeks, it will affect large department stores in the protest areas with a drop of sales figure as a result of a lower number of customers who are tourists.
Meanwhile, the ongoing demonstration has affected sales figures to drop 20-50 per cent at Huay Kwang fresh market due to the public’s inconvenience in travel.
Many merchants said most goods can be transported to market, but at a higher cost and a lower sales volume. Hoarding goods is not happening, they said.
Vegetables have higher prices today owing to higher wholesale costs.
