Bangkok —
At 1:00 PM on September 30th, 2024, Mr. Rattanamongkol Lerttaweewit, representing the Protect Thai Entrepreneurs Network, along with Thai SME business allies, held a press conference in Huai Khwang, Bangkok, urging authorities to take immediate action against the illegal influx of Chinese-labeled products flooding Thai markets.
Rattanamongkol revealed that many of these shops illegally import consumer products that are not compliant with Thai law. These goods often lack proper Thai labeling, including safety certifications from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), and severely undermine local businesses.
Some products feature inaccurate or self-made labels, which pose risks to consumers. The unfair competition has led to many Thai SMEs being forced to shut down, as they struggle to compete with foreign-owned businesses operating illegally, said Rattanamongkol.
Rattanamongkol questioned the government’s failure to act, specifically calling on the Ministry of Commerce, Customs Department, and FDA to enforce import regulations. He also highlighted the involvement of Thai nominees fronting foreign investors to avoid taxes, which allows these businesses to dominate local markets.
Rattanamongkol urged government agencies, including the Ministry of Finance and the Anti-Money Laundering Office (AMLO), to investigate financial transactions and crack down on money laundering schemes used by foreign entities.
Additionally, he stressed the need for government measures to support local entrepreneurs, such as tax breaks for SMEs and access to low-interest loans, which would help level the playing field. The network plans to collaborate with various agencies to address this issue urgently.
This article originally appeared on our sister website The Pattaya News.
