BANGKOK, Oct 27 (TNA) — The Customs Department and related government agencies take a severe action by ordering every customs office to strictly inspect import of coconut in an attempt to shore up the falling prices of coconut in the country, said a spokesman of the Department.
The meeting was held by these agencies and coconut growers and they agreed that severe legal punishment would be taken against coconut smuggling in to Thailand, the spokesman said.
Authorities found that 10 coconut importers brought coconut under the ASEAN Free Trade Area into Thailand, but they may not follow the regulations that require the import for processing at their own factories, not for re-sell.
The Customs Department will send information on this issue to the Commerce Ministry so that the traders that found violated the regulations, their licences would be revoked.
During 2018 government fiscal year, ended on September 30, three coconut smugglers were apprehended and officials seized about 45,540 kilogrammes of the fruit with total value of 528,437 baht.
A total of 10 importers are now under a close watch by authorities. (TNA)
