Govt urged to permit increase in prices
Although the government has reaffirmed its policy of controlling prices, many consumer goods makers are seeking to increase retail prices taking into account the higher wages, utilities and fuel price, a reporters' survey showed.
The survey conducted by a group of reporters from the Commerce Ministry showed that the prices of foods and essential goods have increased by 5-10 per cent from early this year.
For instance, the pork price has increased from Bt100-Bt110 a kilogram to Bt120-Bt130. The price of fresh chicken has gone up from Bt52-Bt55 to Bt62-Bt65 a kilo, and egg price has risen from Bt2.40-Bt2.50 to Bt2.80-Bt2.90 per egg.
The prices of some fresh vegetables have nearly doubled this summer. Chinese kale has skyrocketed from Bt30-Bt32 a kilo to Bt50-Bt52 a kilo while morning glory has increased from Bt18-Bt20 to Bt20-Bt22 a kilo.
The wholesale price of drinking water has increased from Bt56 per six-bottle pack to Bt58, while the retail price under control of the Internal Trade Department specifies Bt14 per 1.5-litre bottle.
The retail price of syrup brand Hale’s blue boy has risen from Bt31-Bt32 a bottle to Bt34-Bt35, and the price of canned coffee has increased from Bt12-Bt13 to Bt14-Bt15.
The price of durable goods such as cupboard, bed, aluminium chair, and plastic bottle will also increase by an average 5-10 per cent per item early next month.
A source from a durable goods maker said that manufacturers have to raise the retail price due to the impact from the hike in minimum daily wage and the higher fuel price.
