The Ministry of Commerce in Thailand is ramping up its efforts to strengthen the oversight of agricultural product imports in an attempt to tackle smuggling in the country.
The Internal Trade Department’s deputy director-general, Chakra Yodmani, noted that his agency has instituted measures to control the flow of 10 different crops, including paddy and milled rice, government stockpiled rice, fresh cassava roots, tapioca chips, cassava seedlings or cuttings, palm oil, animal feed corn, wheat and barley, mature coconuts and coconut products, as well as onion and garlic. The aim is to deter smuggling and unlawful import activities.
Controlled areas have been established at customs checkpoints and several border locations. To transport goods beyond these controlled zones, proper authorisation is required.
Chakra stated that checkpoints are…
