Bangkok: Authorities are strictly inspecting weighing scales and price tags in gold shops nationwide to cope with volatile gold prices. The Department of Internal Trade has ordered weights and measures officials to conduct nationwide inspections of gold shops to ensure the accuracy of scales and price displays, following severe gold price volatility and continuous buying and selling by the public. The department emphasized that any violations will be prosecuted decisively, with a maximum penalty of 7 years imprisonment and a fine of up to 280,000 baht.
According to Thai News Agency, Ms. Yanee Srimanee, Deputy Director-General of the Department of Internal Trade, revealed that due to the high volatility and continuous decline in global gold prices, many people have turned to buying gold for savings and speculation. Therefore, Mr. Witiyakorn Maneenet, Director-General of the Department of Internal Trade, instructed the Weights and Measures Division to coordinate with provincial commerce offices nationwide to inspect gold shops selling both gold bars and gold jewelry. The inspections aim to ensure the accuracy of digital scales and to ensure that prices are clearly displayed to protect consumer fairness.
Preliminary inspections, conducted by officers from 15 Weights and Measures Centers and branch offices, revealed that a total of 105 gold shops were found to be complying with the law, displaying clear product labels and price tags. However, out of a total of 132 digital scales inspected, one scale in Udon Thani province was found to have an accuracy margin exceeding the legal limit. Officials immediately issued a prohibition notice and took legal action.
Ms. Yanee reiterated that businesses must ensure their weighing scales are in perfect condition and regularly certified by the Department of Internal Trade. If inaccurate or tampered weighing scales are detected, the penalty is imprisonment for up to 7 years or a fine of up to 280,000 baht, or both. Failure to display prices is punishable by a fine of up to 10,000 baht.
The Department of Internal Trade advises the public to inspect weighing scales before conducting any transactions. They must have a certification sticker from the Department of Internal Trade. If you find a gold shop that does not display prices or suspect that the weighing scales are inaccurate, you can report it to the hotline 1569 or the provincial commerce offices nationwide. This will allow officials to investigate and protect consumer rights promptly.