Multiple government bodies team up to tackle garlic smugglers in Thailand
A price slump has been blamed on smuggled garlic from neighbouring countries
By Phusadee Arunmas
Thailand’s Commerce Ministry is teaming up with the Customs Department and military officers to tackle smuggled garlic, in an effort to curb the domestic garlic price slump.
Boonyarit Kalayanamit, director-general of the Internal Trade Department, said the domestic garlic prices have fallen to 77.5 baht (US$2.42) per kilogramme from 115 baht (US$3.59) per kg in the same period last year.
Much of the drop was attributed to smuggled garlic from neighbouring countries, he said.
“The Foreign Trade Department is working closely with the Internal Trade Department, the Customs Department and Internal Security Operations Command to deal with the issue, particularly garlic smuggled from neighbouring countries,” said Mr Boonyarit.
“The Internal Trade Department, in particular, is empowered under the 1999 Price of Goods and Services Act to govern the import and transport of goods and services. Under the Act, any persons who possess and move the garlic without permits will be liable to imprisonment of at least five years or a fine up to 140,000 baht (US$4,374), or both.”
