BANGKOK, THAILAND – The Ministry of Commerce has reaffirmed its price oversight for 66 vital goods and services, extending the control list for another year.
66 products remain under strict observation
The list of controlled goods will remain unchanged. The Central Committee for Goods and Services Prices decided to keep the 66 items under surveillance for another year. This includes essential foodstuffs as well as crucial industrial raw materials. The aim is to protect consumers, prevent extreme price surges, and ensure supply within the country.
Stricter controls on onions, garlic, and young coconuts
The state is tightening its grip on several articles. Young coconuts and soybean meal will henceforth be subject to record-keeping obligations, allowing authorities to meticulously track prices, trade flows, and inventory levels. Transport controls will apply to feed corn. Onions and garlic will also be required to present import notifications and commodity books to prevent smuggling and trading practices that endanger farmers and domestic prices.
Easing for disinfectants, rubber, and masks
The ministry is reducing surveillance for alcohol-based hand sanitizers, rubber, face masks, and ATK test kits. Quantities and prices have normalized. The supervisory measures are being adjusted to the current market situation, according to the authority. However, fundamental consumer protection remains guaranteed.
The control list is a monitoring mechanism, not a price dictate
Minister Suphajee Suthumpun emphasized that the classification as a controlled good does not automatically mean government price intervention. “It is a mechanism for monitoring and ensuring fairness for all sectors,” she clarified. The ministry will continue to communicate with the public to build understanding. Depending on the product type and market situation, very different supervisory instruments will be employed.
1999 Act as an annual review ritual
The decision is based on the Price of Goods and Services Act of 1999. The committee annually consults with authorities, the private sector, associations, and operators. Production figures, trade conditions, and costs are incorporated into the assessment to ensure the measures remain as precise as possible.
Concern over the impact of the Middle East conflict
The Ministry of Commerce is also keeping an eye on global economic risks. Minister Suphajee cited the ongoing Middle East conflict as a key factor of uncertainty. It influences the global economy and thus indirectly also production costs and goods prices in Thailand. The authority intends to counteract this to avoid burdening the population, traders, and farmers.
Price labeling requirement remains in effect
Regardless of individual adjustments, the obligation to display prices for all 66 controlled items remains in place. This applies to online shops as well as brick-and-mortar stores. The government relies on transparency as the first line of defense against excessive price demands.