Commerce seeks Bt1.8 bn for low-price-shops

Of this amount, Bt1.5 billion would be used to set up a “one shop, one community” programme to sell low-priced goods to consumers, and the remaining Bt300 million would be for organising low-price fairs under the Blue Flag project this year.
Commerce Minister Boonsong Teriyaphirom said the project had been designed to counter the rising cost of living and needed urgent budget approval.
Under the “one shop, one community” project, the government will select local shops in each community, targeting 700-800 tambon, to sell low-priced products. About 15 essential goods will be sold at the shops.
To keep prices low, the government will help supply these goods directly to the shops. It will also provide a soft loan worth Bt50,000-Bt100,000 to each shop to aid cash flow for goods purchases.
Essential goods include rice, cooking oil, soap, shampoo and detergent.
Meanwhile, the ministry’s sugar committee yesterday agreed to freeze Quota Kor (A), which is for domestic supply, at 24 million sacks (2.4 million tonnes). Sugar millers had asked for a reduction in the quota to free up supply for more export. Manus Soiploy, director-general to the Foreign Trade Department, said the sugar panel had agreed to maintain the quota as usual to ensure supplies and stable prices.
The panel will reconsider the matter after the sugar-cane harvest season ends in May. If demand for sugar increases, the government believes there is an adequate stockpile, Manus said.
A source from the sugar-milling industry said the government should consider reducing Quota Kor to encourage exports because of excessive stocks.
“Thailand will lose an opportunity to benefit from the high export price. The country will not face a shortage as the government handles a carry-over stock of 3.6 million tonnes,” said the source.