Authorities have warned traders not to take advantage of surging demand for black mourning attire by raising prices unfairly.
The Commerce Ministry has instructed its provincial offices to survey the prices and supplies of black clothing in the market to ensure the public will not be taken advantage during the royal mourning period.
Commerce Minister Apiradi Tantraporn said demand for black garments had soared since the one-year mourning period began for His Majesty King Bhumibol, who passed away on Thursday. As a result, her officials are closely monitoring the prices of mourning clothes as well as black and white fabric used for building decorations.
All traders have been asked to clearly label their prices and not to raise prices unreasonably or hoard goods. Violators can face jail terms of up to seven years and/or fines of up to 140,000 baht.
She said the ministry would coordinate with distributors to ensure sufficient supplies of mourning garments across the country.
In Bangkok, traders have been flocking to wholesale garment markets, especially in Bo Bae and Pratunam, leading to traffic jams in surrounding areas on Saturday.
Traders told Reuters that business was brisk and they denied pushing up prices.
"Most people are buying black shirts," said Songkhan Tansonan, who has a stall outside Bo Bae Market.
She said she had sold 200 black shirts by midday on Saturday and 400 the previous day.
"I buy them for 90 baht from the wholesaler and sell them for 120 or 130 baht," she said.
Nongrak Bantaotuk, a nurse, said she was buying black shirts for herself and her family. She said prices had risen a bit, but that did not worry her.
"If you compare, the price is higher than before, but this isn't about prices," she said. "We're going to wear them for a year."
A shop in Pratunam area on Saturday puts on signs saying that it has run out of stock for black attire. (Photo by Thiti Wannamontha)
