Retail Act passes first reading

One step further, toward the vote of the controversial Retail Act.

“The National Legislative Assembly approved the draft Retail and Wholesale Business Law on its first reading yesterday, much to the relief of more than 2,000 small-scale retailers who gathered outside the Parliament.

The bill passed the first reading with 97 votes in favour, six against and six abstentions. The NLA plans to set up a committee to scrutinise the bill before it goes on to the second and third readings. “ (Bangkok Post)

The Commerce minister had strong words against foreign retailers :

” More than 100,000 small retailers have already shut down between 2001 and last year, making one million people jobless. At least 40 representatives from each province have filed a petition to the government asking for help to stop the aggressive expansion of giant retailers,” he said.

“The act is therefore a must to ensure that small businesses survive, and to regulate retail and wholesales businesses under fair conditions.” (Nation)

One million jobs lost ? Is that serious ? And what about the jobs that supermarkets have created since 2001 ? As usual… not a word.

However, the situation is still very confused. Is it only a “face saving” operation ? Because some say that this “draft seems powerless to regulate retailing”. And according to Nation, a NLA source said that it “was very likely that the act would not be finished during the current government’s term“.