NONTHABURI, March 17 (TNA) – Suppliers assured that food and consumer goods are enough for domestic demands and people do not have to stock up on food and essentials.
Advisor to the Thai Retailers Association, Chatchai Dangratthanaphan said that the Covid-19 situation is different from the massive flood in 2011 when factories were hit by flood and forced to close. The production was halted and transportation was disrupted, so stores ran short of supplies.
However, production capacities are now about 70-80 per cent on average and could be increased, he added. The current supplies are adequate for upto 30 days and rice is enough for at least three months. As a result, people don’t have to stockpile food and consumer goods.
Deputy director-general of the Internal Trade Department said that he held talks with wholesale and retail traders. He said manufacturers and suppliers assured that they will fill in shelves in department stores and don’t limit the amount of products that shoppers can buy.
They conceded that that the amount of purchases over the past weekend panic buying in Bangkok and surrounding areas increased by 50 per cent and 30 per cent in provinces. (TNA)
