Lower fuel prices could bring down cost of living
THE COST OF LIVING might ease this month as the prices of some controlled consumer goods, especially foods, are brought down thanks to the plunge in oil prices.
Commerce Minister Chatchai Sarikulya has instructed the Internal Trade Department to analyse the cost structure of goods on 43 control lists to see if there is room to lower their retail prices after the diesel dropped by almost Bt4 per litre.
“The ministry will invite manufacturers and traders to discuss whether they could bring down their retail prices. Some products should be adjusted in the near future,” he said.
However, the prices of some goods may not decrease as expected as their production and transport rely on natural gas for vehicles and liquefied petroleum gas rather than diesel fuel, he said.
The ministry will step in to control the prices of cooked food and fast-food dishes after receiving complaints about their high cost.
Meanwhile, the Foreign Trade Department is drawing up its rice-release plan for this year so that it can continue clearing out as much of its stocks as possible.
To promote exports of Thai Hom Mali rice, Chatchai will lead exporters to Hong Kong this month. Initially, Thailand and Hong Kong will sign a memorandum of understanding for 100,000 tonnes.
