Import restrictions are relaxed
October 27, 2011
The regulations for the import of food, consumer products and water filters are temporarily relaxed.
There is a great need for those products. Royal Thai Airforce and Suvarnabhumi airports are used as distribution centers. This has been announced by the Ministry of Commerce. Pointwise:
- The relaxation applies to drinking water, canned fish, eggs, milk, fresh vegetables and instant noodles; toilet paper, tissues, soap, toothpaste, toothbrushes; and water filters as well as drinking water machines. They are supposed to be on the market within a week.
- The shortage of consumer products such as toothpaste and soap is the result of the relocation of machines by large manufacturers such as Unilever from the La Krabang industrial estate. Similar brands are imported.
- The shortage of drinking water is because 31 of the 83 factories are flooded. There is also a shortage of caps as some major manufacturers of plastic items have ceased production.
- According to the president of the Association of Hen Egg Farmers, the shortage of eggs is due to logistical problems and consumer hoarding. "The government should calm the population and assure them that there is enough food."
- Chartchai Tuongratanaphan, an advisor to the Thai Retailers Association, says 40 percent of products have disappeared from the market.
- Big C Supercenter, the country's second-largest hypermarket, is preparing to import products most in demand. Demand is now ten times higher than normal. The import can be received within 1 to 3 days. Three containers with bottled drinking water from Malaysia, fresh fruit and vegetables from China and canned fish from Vietnam are ready to go Thailand to be shipped. Big C has set up 5 temporary distribution centers.
- Tops Supermarket is considering importing drinking water from Malaysia, Hong Kong and Singapore.
- In response to complaints about price increases, the cabinet decided on Tuesday to freeze the price of 16 products, including drinking water, batteries, sand, sandbags and candles.
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