To combat smuggling in the nation, Thailand‘s Ministry of Commerce is stepping up efforts to enhance the control of imports of agricultural products.
Chakra Yodmani, the deputy director-general of the Internal Trade Department, stated that his organization has put in place measures to regulate the flow of ten different crops. Smuggling and illegal imports are intended to be discouraged.
Strengthen the Agricultural Imports
At numerous border crossing sites and customs inspections, controlled areas have been constructed. Appropriate authorization is needed to move items outside of these restricted areas.
According to Chakra, checkpoints are set up along transportation routes to confirm permits and keep an eye out for the transportation of large amounts. Penalties are coming for offenders, he said. According to Bangkok Post, these actions are by the Price of Goods and Services Act, which gives the Central Committee on the Prices of Goods and Services the power to assess prices.
- Thailand’s Commerce Ministry enhances agricultural import control to combat smuggling.
- Controlled areas at border crossings require authorization for item movement.
- 27,000 kilograms of garlic were found in Laem Chabang Port due to unauthorized shipping techniques.
Chakra said that the committee recently decided to keep price limits for 51 goods and services in place for one extra year, with a June 30, 2024, expiration date. Next Tuesday, the amended price control list is scheduled to be submitted for Cabinet approval.
In a related incident, the department’s director-general, Wattanasak Sur-iam, declared that fresh market inspections of smuggled garlic had been conducted in Bangkok and the nearby provinces, concentrating on the Khlong Luang area in Pathum Thani.
Approximately 27,000 kilograms of garlic, valued at approximately 2 million baht (US$ 57,389) and coming from Chon Buri’s Laem Chabang Port, were found during the inspections. It was discovered that the shipping techniques used were not authorized and lacked the necessary permissions.
According to Wattanasak, the truck drivers and the seized commodities were given to the detectives at the Khlong Luang district police station for legal action.
