The Department of Consumer Protection launched inspections of Pattaya-area clothes retailers following complaints about price gouging for black and white mourning attire.
Director Bupha Songsakulchai led staffers on checks of the Naklua Market and other clothing shops and street booths Oct. 21.
She said prices were found to be “reasonable” given the balance of supply and demand and all the shopkeepers had the same reason for pushing the prices up a bit: Most people are buying black shirts and trousers and they can’t keep up with demand as factories are back-ordered as well.
In addition, clothing factories have to hire more employees and have them work overtime, pushing wholesale costs up and leaving vendors no choice but to hike retail price tags.
All shop vendors had receipts to show that the prices of clothing have gone up and their price tags have to be adjusted accordingly.
The sellers claimed they wished they could lower prices more to pay tribute to the passing of HM the King, but have reasons why they can’t.
