Govt maintains building materials prices following powerful quake

BANGKOK, May 13 (TNA) - The Internal Trade Department has warned traders not to raise prices of building materials in the northern region, where efforts are underway to rebuild and repair houses following the this month’s powerful earthquake in Chiang Rai province. Somchart Soythong, director-general of the department, told reporters Tuesday he has ordered the department’s officials to closely monitor the prices in the region to prevent traders from taking advantage of the situation by increasing prices of their merchandise. He said people can report any overpriced material to his department via its hotline number 1569. Somchart also asked producers and suppliers to ensure sufficient supplies of building materials in the region as construction demands there is rising. The strong 6.3 magnitude earthquake, which struck Chiang Rai’s Phan district on May 5, and its ensuing aftershocks have destroyed more than 12 houses and partially damaged 8,000 others in seven northern provinces, according to the Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation. The quake also damaged 47 schools, three hospitals, a hotel, a department store, a bridge, five roads and 42 temples. The seven affected provinces are Chiang Rai, Chiang Mai, Phayao, Nan, Phrae, Lampang and Kamphaeng Phet. (TNA)