Bangkok: Minister attached to the Prime Minister's Office, Supamas Isarabhakdi, has called for cooperation from school uniform retailers in the Bang Lamphu area of Bangkok to freeze prices as the new school term approaches. The minister emphasized the importance of displaying prices and product styles clearly to alleviate the financial strain on parents.
According to Thai News Agency, Ms. Supamas conducted inspections of school uniform shops in the Phra Nakhon District, engaging with shop owners about various aspects such as sales, pricing, and the economic impact on parents' purchasing power. With the school year starting soon, she highlighted the significant expenses faced by parents and the measures being taken by relevant agencies to regulate goods and reduce financial burdens. School uniforms are classified as controlled goods under the Consumer Protection Act.
The inspection focused on ensuring clear price labeling, appropriate sizing, fair pricing, and prohibiting bundled sales. Shops must display essential product details like manufacturing dates and return/exchange policies. The minister found that many shops adhered to these standards, displaying clear pricing suitable for students.
Supamas encouraged consumers to check labels, prices, and return policies carefully before purchasing and to retain receipts to exercise their legal rights if necessary. She also urged businesses to offer promotions or special prices to further ease financial pressures on the public. The minister praised several Bang Lamphu market businesses for maintaining stable prices and offering additional discounts. She assured that any issues with goods and services could be reported to government agencies for swift action.
Efforts to reduce education expenses continue, with discussions involving educational institutions about the necessity of certain uniform items, such as scout and girl scout gear, to lessen parental costs over time.
Sukanya Thanasewi, a school uniform shop owner in Bang Lamphu, shared that her shop clearly labels prices and sizes to aid customer decisions. Despite rising labor costs, she has not raised prices, utilizing old stock materials. Some items, like school bags, are offered with reduced profit margins to support parents financially. Spending patterns have shifted, with families buying fewer uniforms or reusing old garments. Prices vary by size and grade; for example, school shirts range from 260-470 baht. The demand for scout uniforms has dropped as schools reduce uniform requirements, with complete sets costing up to a thousand baht. Shops are adapting by targeting foreign customers interested in Thai cultural experiences, providing an alternative income stream.