Nakhon Si Thammarat: The Department of Internal Trade has intensified its efforts to protect farmers in the rubber trade sector following the discovery of itinerant vehicles using modified scales to exploit farmers. Officials have taken legal action and announced plans for comprehensive inspections across the country.
According to Thai News Agency, Mr. Udom Srisomsong, Deputy Director-General of the Department of Internal Trade, stated that the Ministry of Commerce is dedicated to safeguarding farmers' rights, following the directive from Mr. Pichai Naripthaphan, Minister of Commerce. On April 9, 2025, officers from the Southern Weights and Measures Center, in collaboration with the Lansaka District administration in Nakhon Si Thammarat Province, uncovered a mobile rubber scrap purchase vehicle employing a tampered 60-kilogram spring scale. This manipulation resulted in inaccurate weight measurements, thus harming farmers financially.
The authorities seized the faulty scales and initiated legal proceedings at Lansaka Police Station. This action falls under Section 75/1 of the Weights and Measures Act B.E. 2542 and its amendments, which stipulate severe penalties, including up to seven years of imprisonment or a fine not exceeding 280,000 baht. Additionally, it constitutes a violation under Section 270 of the Criminal Code for utilizing or possessing a scale not conforming to correct specifications to gain unfair advantage in trade.
Since the start of 2025, there have been 39 reported incidents related to tampered scales and measuring devices at agricultural product purchasing sites. These include one case involving spring scales, 34 cases involving vehicle scales, and three cases involving digital scales.
Mr. Udom emphasized that the Department of Internal Trade has dispatched inspectors to monitor and regulate the sale and purchase of agricultural products to ensure equitable practices for both farmers and consumers. He directed the Southern Weights and Measures Center to enhance the rigor of inspections in rubber scrap transactions. He urged farmers to remain vigilant and report any suspicious weighing activities to the Weights and Measures Center, branch offices across the nation, or the Department of Internal Trade hotline 1569 or Line@MR.DIT.
