Large crowds of holiday vacationers provided the perfect opportunity for beach vendors to jack up prices for Labor Day.
Jomtien Beach Municipal Police chief Col. Somchai Inruang said beach patrons complained that vendors not only were selling spoiled or near-spoiled food, but they had increased prices up to 100 percent for the May 1 holiday.
He said vendors have been warned their operations could be suspended for a week for each offense, but the issues continue to arise. Authorities actually have taken to making announcements on beach loudspeakers that anyone who feels they’ve been gouged on prices can file a complaint at the local police station.
The fresh seafood, along with all the other culinary delights, are certainly delicious but more expensive during the holidays.
Somchai said food also poses another problem on Jomtien Beach: garbage. On holidays, large groups of Thais come to relax and eat on the beach, then leave behind their mess without cleaning up.
One reason is that there are an insufficient number of trash cans and, on holidays, they quickly fill. The left-behind garbage attracts stray dogs and rats.
