THAILAND : Price controls introduced soon
Published: 03/16/2010, 4:51:19 PM
The Commerce Ministry will soon introduce a price-control system for sugar across the country to ensure fair treatment for consumers after finding abnormally high retail prices and a supply shortage in 42 provinces, according to Thailand's The Nation newspaper.
Permanent secretary Yanyong Phuangrach yesterday said he had instructed provincial commercial officers to consider setting up a system of price control in each province. Price control will vary depending on the distance between the millers and each province.
"The price-control measure should help protect consumers, as the ministry found that some traders were charging THB30 (US$0.92) a kilogram," said Yanyong.
The government currently only controls the price of refined sugar at THB23.50 a kilo in five provinces in greater Bangkok.
In addition, to ensure adequate supply of sugar, the ministry will soon distribute 80,760 metric tonnes via its "Blue Flag" project for selling low-price goods directly to consumers nationwide.