Thai Steel Traders Warn New Standards Could Create Monopoly

MGR Online•Politics•3d ago

Reader Briefing

Thai steel traders express concern that restricting steel production methods to electric arc furnaces could cause shortages and market monopolies.

•A group of steel trading companies, including Panakun Steel Enter Pipe Co., Ltd., opposes standards that limit production to certain furnace types.
•Traders argue that Induction Furnace (IF) products can meet Thai Industrial Standards Institute (TISI) requirements.
•The group warns that restricting production to Electric Furnace (EF) methods may lead to higher prices and reduced consumer choice.
•The traders request that standards be based on the quality of the finished product rather than the production process.

•A group of steel trading companies has distributed steel products to the construction and industrial sectors for several decades.
•The steel trading group fears that limiting production processes to specific furnace types may lead to product shortages and price spikes.
•Panakun Steel Enter Pipe Co., Ltd. and other traders note that Induction Furnace (IF) processes can produce goods that meet TISI standards.
•The steel trading group states that relying solely on Electric Furnace (EF) producers has previously resulted in incomplete product sizes and construction delays.
•The steel trading group warns that restricting sources to EF furnaces could cause market concentration or a monopoly by certain producer groups.
•Pracha Kusalanukun suggests that a perfect competition market requires a variety of products for consumers to choose from.
•The steel trading group requests that standards be determined by academic principles and finished product testing results.
•The steel trading group believes consumers should have the right to choose products based on quality, price, and availability rather than furnace type.

Full article content is available on the original source.

Pracha Kusalanukun(ประชา กุศลานุคุณ)

Owner of Panakun Steel Enter Pipe Co., Ltd. and a member of the steel trader group.

Panakun Steel Enter Pipe Co., Ltd.(บริษัท ปณคุณสตีล เอ็นเตอร์ ไพพ์ จำกัด)

A company that distributes steel products to the construction and industrial sectors.

Thai Industrial Standards Institute (TISI)(มาตรฐานผลิตภัณฑ์อุตสาหกรรม (มอก.))

The industrial product standard that steel products must meet.