‘Pichai’ ordered the Department of Internal Trade to closely monitor the price of backhoes and prohibit them from increasing the price, which would make things worse for people in flood-stricken areas. Private backhoes have entered the area to help, and some small vehicles have announced that if they buy, they will be given a 100,000 baht contribution.
Mr. Pichai Naripthaphan, Minister of Commerce, revealed that from the flood situation and heavy rain in many northern provinces, Ms. Paethongtarn Shinawatra, Prime Minister and the government are concerned about the problems and suffering of the affected people. Therefore, they traveled to Chiang Rai and Chiang Mai provinces on 28-29 September 2024 to monitor the situation and expedite the recovery. Mr. Tan Passakorntee, CEO of Ichitan Group Public Company Limited or ICHI, led a team of backhoes and more than 100 6-wheel trucks to help scoop up mud around houses.
From the field visit, we received complaints from people in the area where the water had receded
and were rehabilitating their homes due to the large amount of mud that had been carried by the water. People were having trouble cleaning up after the water receded because thick mud covered houses, buildings, shops, and roads in the flooded areas.
Therefore, people have used the excavator service to remove soil, but found that in some places the service fee has been higher than normal. Therefore, the Department of Internal Trade has been ordered to strictly inspect the excavator service fee in Chiang Rai Province and other areas affected by the flood. In addition, cooperation from business operators is requested to fix the excavator service fee to help flood victims and not make things worse during the crisis.
In this regard, the Department of Internal Trade and the Provincial Commerce Office have been ordered to supervise the posting of price signs and strictly prohibit any unfair increase in the price of backhoes to the public. If any wrongdoing is found, strict legal action will be taken.
In the case
of not displaying the price, there will be a fine not exceeding 10,000 baht, and in the case of selling goods at unreasonably high prices, there will be a penalty of imprisonment not exceeding 7 years, a fine not exceeding 140,000 baht, or both. If the public sees unfair sales of goods and services, they can file a complaint at the Department of Internal Trade hotline 1569 and provincial commercial offices nationwide.
The small backhoe service provider announced that if any foundation comes to buy a vehicle, the company will contribute another 100,000 baht along with free service. Currently, the ‘Kan Jom Phalang’ team has purchased 1 vehicle.
While Mr. Tan Passakorntee, Managing Director of Ichitan Group Co., Ltd. (Public) or ICHI, continued to help by leading a team of backhoes and more than 100 6-wheel trucks to help scoop up mud from around houses in Chiang Rai and received much praise.
Source: Thai News Agency