BANGKOK, THAILAND – Thailand’s government placed bottled drinking water, seasoning sauces and plastic pellets under one-year price control to cushion potential price surges linked to higher energy and raw material costs from the Middle East conflict.
Price controls on water, sauces and plastic pellets
The government added bottled drinking water, seasoning sauces and plastic pellets to its list of price-regulated goods. The move aimed to prevent potential price hikes driven by rising input costs.
The measure was set for an initial period of one year to shield consumers from short-term price jumps. At the same time, it was intended to secure fair trading conditions along the entire supply chain.
Official decision and publication in the Royal Gazette
The step was based on a notification issued by the Central Committee on Prices of Goods and Services. The notification was published in the Royal Gazette on 25 March.
The order was signed by Commerce Minister Suphajee Suthumpun. With her signature, the price controls formally entered into force and became binding for the affected industries.
Middle East conflict as cost driver
After assessing the situation in the Middle East, the committee decided to place the affected products under control. Officials stated that the war had pushed up both energy and raw material costs.
According to the authorities, the oil and packaging sectors were particularly affected. The government also sought to prevent companies from exploiting the situation to charge excessively high margins.
Approval required before price increases
Producers of goods on the price control list were required to obtain approval from the Department of Internal Trade before raising prices. For this purpose, they had to submit detailed cost breakdowns for review.
This process was designed to clarify whether higher prices were genuinely justified by increased costs. The authorities aimed to ensure fair prices, sales conditions and trading practices.
Why plastic pellets are particularly important
For plastic pellets, controls applied to polyethylene (PE), polypropylene (PP) and PET resins. These materials were widely used in packaging, including for plastic bottles.
As key intermediate products, price fluctuations in resins could indirectly make many consumer goods more expensive. Regulation in this area could therefore affect several sectors.
Price control list expanded to 71 products
The Commerce Ministry recently expanded the list of price-regulated goods from 59 to 71 items. The list mainly covered staple foods, agricultural products and household goods.
These goods were subject to particularly close monitoring in order to steer inflation and living costs for the population. The new controls formed part of a broader strategy to stabilize prices.
Review of measures if global conditions improve
Officials described the price controls as a precautionary measure. They were intended to have a dampening effect on prices during a phase of global uncertainty.
At the same time, the authorities announced that the rules would be reviewed if international conditions became more stable. It remained open whether the controls would be extended or eased after one year.
Your view
The original publication invited readers to share their views on the effectiveness of the controls in curbing living costs or their possible negative impact on producers and trade.
It also asked which products, in the opinion of consumers in Thailand, should receive special protection when energy and packaging costs rise.