Govt may make air purifiers, vacuum cleaners controlled products

Rising levels of PM2.5 pollution in big cities driving demand for household air purifiers, jacked-up prices

The Commerce Ministry is planning to propose to the Cabinet adding air purifiers and vacuum cleaners to the list of controlled products in a bid to prevent unfair price increases amid rising demands.

This has been made necessary by the rising level of PM2.5 (fine particulate) air pollution in big cities throughout Thailand, causing the demand for household air purifiers and vacuum cleaners to increase, Sasikarn Watthanachan, deputy government spokeswoman, said on Saturday.



She said a ministry survey revealed that air purifiers and filters have continuously increased in price in the past weeks. Meanwhile, vacuum cleaners, despite reporting an increase in demand, have not shown any price irregularities.

The ministry therefore deems it necessary to regulate these products and related equipment in advance to prevent price gouging and product hoarding, she said.

Sasikarn said designating these products as controlled goods will help the government manage costs and prices appropriately.

Other measures that may be implemented include requiring operators to report costs of production and imports, regulating pricing structures to ensure fairness, and implementing additional measures to prevent product shortages, she said.

“This measure aims to ensure that the public can access air purifiers and vacuum cleaners at fair prices, while effectively reducing the impact of the PM2.5 crisis,” Sasikarn said.

(2025/02/01-00:00)