The Phuket Provincial Commerce Office, led by Phakjira Suetrong, alongside the officers from the Phuket Consumer Protection Subcommittee, conducted inspections at various businesses, including the vendors in front of Jui Tui Shrine in the heart of Phuket Town.
The inspections were to ensure compliance with pricing regulations, said an official report of the visit.
Officials stressed that all vendors must clearly display prices for products and services to protect consumers from unfair price hikes during the festival, which attracts many visitors.
The inspections are being conducted to enforce a May 2022 provincial announcement, aimed at maintaining ethical business practices and supporting tourism, the report explained.
The Phuket Provincial Commerce Office reminded stall vendors that prices must be displayed clearly, in compliance with the law, with violators facing fines up to B10,000.
Price tags must be easy to read, written in Thai or other languages, with Arabic numerals required, and vendors are forbidden from intentionally raising prices or hoarding goods, with penalties including up to seven years in prison or fines up to B140,000, the officials noted.
The public is encouraged to report any instances of unfair pricing to the Phuket Provincial Commerce Office at 076-219586 or the national complaint hotline 1569.