Govt acts to soothe price fears
The government yesterday acknowledged growing anxiety over the rising cost of living and the imminent increase in the minimum wage, but expressed confidence that Thailand's economic situation remained under control.
After an urgent meeting called by Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra, top economic officials said the Cabinet would monitor key factors, particularly oil prices and the new minimum wage. No economic, financial or monetary measures were announced.
The government played down the rise in fuel prices, pointing out that high inflation in January was largely caused by lost production in the aftermath of the flood crisis. The nationwide disaster severely affected manufacturing of goods, which failed to meet demand, resulting in higher prices of foods and beverages. The prices were within normal levels, however, officials said.
Amid the public outcry over rising food prices, Yingluck called an urgent meeting of economic ministers including the finance, commerce, labour and industry ministers, as well as officials from the Bank of Thailand and the National Economic and Social Development Board (NESDB), to brainstorm ways of tackling the high inflation.
Full Story: The Nation
Poll: Thailand growing more unhappy as cost of living soars
Re: Poll: Thailand growing more unhappy as cost of living so
Who is the happier man, he who has braved the storm of life and lived or he who has stayed securely on shore and merely existed? - Hunter S Thompson
Re: Poll: Thailand growing more unhappy as cost of living so
PM: Flood causes high living cost
http://www.bangkokpost.com/news/local/2 ... iving-cost
The problem of high living cost was stemmed from the devastating flood that hit the country late last year, Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra said on Saturday.
She said this on her “Yingluck government meets people” weekly talk show on NBT this morning.
Ms Yingluck said in order to settle the problem, she had instructed the ministry of commerce and relevant offices to come up with measures to ensure that the prices of consumer goods were reasonable, particularly those of eggs and palm cooking oil.
The “Thong Fa” (Blue Flag) programme has been launched in Bangkok and other provinces nationwide to offer cheap prices consumer products to people, she added.
When compared to the previous year, prices of consumer goods were comparatively went down. But because the supply of many products was not sufficient due to the great flood, while the demand for them was high, the prices of these products became more expensive when sold in various fresh markets, said the prime minister.
...................................................................................
WTF!??????
http://www.bangkokpost.com/news/local/2 ... iving-cost
The problem of high living cost was stemmed from the devastating flood that hit the country late last year, Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra said on Saturday.
She said this on her “Yingluck government meets people” weekly talk show on NBT this morning.
Ms Yingluck said in order to settle the problem, she had instructed the ministry of commerce and relevant offices to come up with measures to ensure that the prices of consumer goods were reasonable, particularly those of eggs and palm cooking oil.
The “Thong Fa” (Blue Flag) programme has been launched in Bangkok and other provinces nationwide to offer cheap prices consumer products to people, she added.
When compared to the previous year, prices of consumer goods were comparatively went down. But because the supply of many products was not sufficient due to the great flood, while the demand for them was high, the prices of these products became more expensive when sold in various fresh markets, said the prime minister.
...................................................................................
WTF!??????
May you be in heaven half an hour before the devil know`s you`re dead!
Re: Poll: Thailand growing more unhappy as cost of living so
Did anyone expect them not to lie about it? 
Pete 
http://www.nationmultimedia.com/busines ... 79580.html
Govt price claims ignore key goods
Amid growing complaints from consumers over the rising cost of goods, the Commerce Ministry has insisted that prices are under control, but only part of the truth has been reported to the Cabinet and the public.
In fact, the government has picked only some products whose prices have come down to showcase to society.
Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra and Commerce Minister Boonsong Teriyaphirom keep on saying that prices are under control and the cost of living has not risen during this administration.
However, the prices of almost all of the consumer goods that have not been reported to the Cabinet have continued to increase during this government's term. The retail prices of daily necessities such as shampoo, liquid dishwashing detergent, soap, laundry detergent and foods are 5-10 per cent higher than at the same time last year.
Recently, The Nation surveyed cooked food prices and found they had gone up from an average of Bt25-Bt35 per dish to Bt30-Bt45. Although the government asked some retailers to sell cheap cooked food at Bt25-Bt30 per dish, the move failed to rein in rocketing daily expenses.
Despite the launch of price control measures by the ministry, suppliers of most essential goods have been hiking retail prices since last year.
Some companies cannot adjust their retail prices because their |products are considered as staples and have been put on the government's price control list. However, the survey found that those com-panies have shifted to producing more value-added products or changing formulas to allow them to lift retail prices above the ceiling. Some packages have also been downsized.
For instance, the contents of a |bag of liquid dishwashing deter-|gent have been decreased gradually from 600-650cc to 500-550cc. The production of ordinary formula shampoos and soaps has been cut back, while new formulas have been created and promoted to attract consumers.
Boonchai Chokwatana, chairman of Saha Pathanapibul, a leading local manufacturing and trading conglomerate, said the company eventually will need to raise prices as it is facing cost pressures from petrol, wages and raw materials.
"The increase in the petrol price has severely impacted the company in the form of rising costs of imported raw materials and transportation. We however have delayed price increases while our raw material stocks last, which will be for two more months," he said.
When the government in-|creased the minimum wage at the beginning of this month, it added about Bt1 billion to the personnel expenses of Saha Group, which employs more than 100,000 people in total.
Labour-intensive manufacturers, such as footwear makers, have been severely impacted by the new minimum wage.
"Some of Saha Group's manufacturing businesses, which are labour-intensive, such as footwear, have been impacted by the new wage. It has caused them to be non-competitive in export markets," he said.
However, some products, such as laundry and liquid dishwashing detergents, which rely more on automated machinery in their production process, have been less impacted by the new wage.
Saha and other manufacturers have been asked by the govern-|ment to maintain prices since last year, but manufacturers have been forced to adjust their prices to cope with the new cost structure. Some |of them have also reduced product sizes to maintain current prices and to be competitive in the market, he added.
Nophadol Siwabutr, corporate affairs director for Nestle (Thai), said price increases are the company's last option when facing cost pressures, which is why, even during the extreme shortages of bottled water caused by the great flood of last year, Nestle imported bottles from its plants in other countries and sold them at the same price as its local products, and absorbed all the extra costs.
"Looking ahead to the immediate future, Nestle has no plans to increase the costs of our products as a result of the new minimum wage," he said.
The Commerce Ministry's Internal Trade Department has estimated that the retail prices of goods should not increase substantially. It said that the increases in fuel and NGV prices will only boost the retail prices of goods by 0.44 per cent. The increase in the minimum wage to Bt300 per day will account for only 1-5 per cent of total production costs. This should not be a major factor for retailers to raise prices (see Chart 1).
The ministry has reported on only the prices of 12 products, mainly fresh foods, saying they declined last month year on year.
The products with prices reported to the Cabinet were pork, chicken, eggs, morning glory, bitter gourds, tamarind, garlic, beans, Chinese cabbages, cucumbers, limes and cooking oil. It was reported that the retail prices of most products dropped by 3.93-53.45 per cent from March of last year to this March. Only one product was reported as gaining in price. That was lime, which became 30.3 per cent dearer over the period.
Pete http://www.nationmultimedia.com/busines ... 79580.html
Govt price claims ignore key goods
Amid growing complaints from consumers over the rising cost of goods, the Commerce Ministry has insisted that prices are under control, but only part of the truth has been reported to the Cabinet and the public.
In fact, the government has picked only some products whose prices have come down to showcase to society.
Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra and Commerce Minister Boonsong Teriyaphirom keep on saying that prices are under control and the cost of living has not risen during this administration.
However, the prices of almost all of the consumer goods that have not been reported to the Cabinet have continued to increase during this government's term. The retail prices of daily necessities such as shampoo, liquid dishwashing detergent, soap, laundry detergent and foods are 5-10 per cent higher than at the same time last year.
Recently, The Nation surveyed cooked food prices and found they had gone up from an average of Bt25-Bt35 per dish to Bt30-Bt45. Although the government asked some retailers to sell cheap cooked food at Bt25-Bt30 per dish, the move failed to rein in rocketing daily expenses.
Despite the launch of price control measures by the ministry, suppliers of most essential goods have been hiking retail prices since last year.
Some companies cannot adjust their retail prices because their |products are considered as staples and have been put on the government's price control list. However, the survey found that those com-panies have shifted to producing more value-added products or changing formulas to allow them to lift retail prices above the ceiling. Some packages have also been downsized.
For instance, the contents of a |bag of liquid dishwashing deter-|gent have been decreased gradually from 600-650cc to 500-550cc. The production of ordinary formula shampoos and soaps has been cut back, while new formulas have been created and promoted to attract consumers.
Boonchai Chokwatana, chairman of Saha Pathanapibul, a leading local manufacturing and trading conglomerate, said the company eventually will need to raise prices as it is facing cost pressures from petrol, wages and raw materials.
"The increase in the petrol price has severely impacted the company in the form of rising costs of imported raw materials and transportation. We however have delayed price increases while our raw material stocks last, which will be for two more months," he said.
When the government in-|creased the minimum wage at the beginning of this month, it added about Bt1 billion to the personnel expenses of Saha Group, which employs more than 100,000 people in total.
Labour-intensive manufacturers, such as footwear makers, have been severely impacted by the new minimum wage.
"Some of Saha Group's manufacturing businesses, which are labour-intensive, such as footwear, have been impacted by the new wage. It has caused them to be non-competitive in export markets," he said.
However, some products, such as laundry and liquid dishwashing detergents, which rely more on automated machinery in their production process, have been less impacted by the new wage.
Saha and other manufacturers have been asked by the govern-|ment to maintain prices since last year, but manufacturers have been forced to adjust their prices to cope with the new cost structure. Some |of them have also reduced product sizes to maintain current prices and to be competitive in the market, he added.
Nophadol Siwabutr, corporate affairs director for Nestle (Thai), said price increases are the company's last option when facing cost pressures, which is why, even during the extreme shortages of bottled water caused by the great flood of last year, Nestle imported bottles from its plants in other countries and sold them at the same price as its local products, and absorbed all the extra costs.
"Looking ahead to the immediate future, Nestle has no plans to increase the costs of our products as a result of the new minimum wage," he said.
The Commerce Ministry's Internal Trade Department has estimated that the retail prices of goods should not increase substantially. It said that the increases in fuel and NGV prices will only boost the retail prices of goods by 0.44 per cent. The increase in the minimum wage to Bt300 per day will account for only 1-5 per cent of total production costs. This should not be a major factor for retailers to raise prices (see Chart 1).
The ministry has reported on only the prices of 12 products, mainly fresh foods, saying they declined last month year on year.
The products with prices reported to the Cabinet were pork, chicken, eggs, morning glory, bitter gourds, tamarind, garlic, beans, Chinese cabbages, cucumbers, limes and cooking oil. It was reported that the retail prices of most products dropped by 3.93-53.45 per cent from March of last year to this March. Only one product was reported as gaining in price. That was lime, which became 30.3 per cent dearer over the period.
Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed. Source
Re: Poll: Thailand growing more unhappy as cost of living so
Surely it's a worldwide problem unrelated to Thai domestic issues.Amid growing complaints from consumers over the rising cost of goods,...
Re: Poll: Thailand growing more unhappy as cost of living so
Sorry but I cant believe anyone saying that Thai prices are close to UK prices. Just bollocks I'm afraid. And if you compare to Dubai prices, then Thailand is a real bargain basement. Plus its not all down to dollars, pounds or bahts. Where else can you see so many smiling people in a town. Certainly not in UK where most people have faces like very well skelped arses. My BP drops significantly when I come to HH, without it I would be off to meet my maker i think.
Fat drunk and stupid is no way to go through life.......says who?
Re: Poll: Thailand growing more unhappy as cost of living so
Not worth a new thread so putting it here. Seems to me we are getting quite a lot of big ticket items for sale in our Classified section. Probably much more out there that gets advertised elsewhere. I wonder if an exodus of sorts has begun for the various reasons we've talked about on many different threads. Pete
Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed. Source
Re: Poll: Thailand growing more unhappy as cost of living so
The price of ice has gone from 7baht up to 8baht in 7/11!! I tried explaining inflation to my partner in Thai, oh boy lol. I am aware that quite a lot of Thai people do not think outside of their country and the education system has some problems, but that was on hell of a task!
Be the tree that sways with the breeze rather than the tree that leans against the wind
Re: Poll: Thailand growing more unhappy as cost of living so
Politicians call for VAT hike
Virabongsa Ramangkura, chairman of Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra's advisory team, yesterday proposed raising by 1 percentage point the value added tax (VAT), which currently adds 7 per cent to the cost of consumer products.
"This would result in additional revenue of Bt60 billion for the country, which would enable us to ease other types of tax collection," he said.
Speaking at a seminar on globalisation organised by the Senate committee on the economy, Virabongsa said the current tax structure created a negative investment environment. Taxation should be used not only for income generation, but also to reduce the gaps between different groups' standard of living, he said.
Taxation tends to have the heaviest impact on middle-income earners, Virabongsa said, because existing tax measures contain many exemptions, making it hard for the government to collect more from the rich, whose income derives mostly from interest, dividends and capital gains. Without these exemptions, however, the country's competitiveness would suffer - including a drop in stock-market sentiment - resulting in capital outflows to such places as Singapore, he said.
Full Story: The Nation
Thought: If things weren't getting more expensive already this will certainly add to it.
Virabongsa Ramangkura, chairman of Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra's advisory team, yesterday proposed raising by 1 percentage point the value added tax (VAT), which currently adds 7 per cent to the cost of consumer products.
"This would result in additional revenue of Bt60 billion for the country, which would enable us to ease other types of tax collection," he said.
Speaking at a seminar on globalisation organised by the Senate committee on the economy, Virabongsa said the current tax structure created a negative investment environment. Taxation should be used not only for income generation, but also to reduce the gaps between different groups' standard of living, he said.
Taxation tends to have the heaviest impact on middle-income earners, Virabongsa said, because existing tax measures contain many exemptions, making it hard for the government to collect more from the rich, whose income derives mostly from interest, dividends and capital gains. Without these exemptions, however, the country's competitiveness would suffer - including a drop in stock-market sentiment - resulting in capital outflows to such places as Singapore, he said.
Full Story: The Nation
Thought: If things weren't getting more expensive already this will certainly add to it.
Who is the happier man, he who has braved the storm of life and lived or he who has stayed securely on shore and merely existed? - Hunter S Thompson
Re: Poll: Thailand growing more unhappy as cost of living so
lol increase the minimum wage then put up taxes...
Re: Poll: Thailand growing more unhappy as cost of living so
Major producers asked to freeze prices
Producers have been asked to freeze product prices for four months to help keep down the cost of living, Commerce Minister Boonsong Teriyapirom said on Friday.
He said Saha Pathanapibul Plc and Charoen Pokphand Foods Plc, Thailand's leading distributors of consumer and food products, will revise the prices of various goods and compare them with the cost of production.
"The government asks business operators to keep product prices unchanged for four more months to help consumers," Mr Boonsong said.
The minister said he accepted the result of a survey showing that many respondents believed the government failed to pass the exam on the economy.
"From now on, I'll work harder and will tell the public what the Commerce Ministry has done to oversee product prices," Mr Boonsong said. "I'm not concerned that I might be removed from the cabinet."
He believed the poll result would not reduce the Pheu Thai Party's popularity.
A survey by E-Saan Poll released on Wednesday concluded 59.0 per cent of 1,033 respondents in 20 northeastern provinces said the government's efforts to combat rising living costs had failed, as product prices rose while wages remained low.
Source: BKK Post
Thought: That new minimum wage is not going to benefit anyone at this rate, Thai news TV stations are dominated by rising food costs and Mrs Buksi continues to gripe about it!
Producers have been asked to freeze product prices for four months to help keep down the cost of living, Commerce Minister Boonsong Teriyapirom said on Friday.
He said Saha Pathanapibul Plc and Charoen Pokphand Foods Plc, Thailand's leading distributors of consumer and food products, will revise the prices of various goods and compare them with the cost of production.
"The government asks business operators to keep product prices unchanged for four more months to help consumers," Mr Boonsong said.
The minister said he accepted the result of a survey showing that many respondents believed the government failed to pass the exam on the economy.
"From now on, I'll work harder and will tell the public what the Commerce Ministry has done to oversee product prices," Mr Boonsong said. "I'm not concerned that I might be removed from the cabinet."
He believed the poll result would not reduce the Pheu Thai Party's popularity.
A survey by E-Saan Poll released on Wednesday concluded 59.0 per cent of 1,033 respondents in 20 northeastern provinces said the government's efforts to combat rising living costs had failed, as product prices rose while wages remained low.
Source: BKK Post
Thought: That new minimum wage is not going to benefit anyone at this rate, Thai news TV stations are dominated by rising food costs and Mrs Buksi continues to gripe about it!
Who is the happier man, he who has braved the storm of life and lived or he who has stayed securely on shore and merely existed? - Hunter S Thompson
Re: Poll: Thailand growing more unhappy as cost of living so
Asking private distribution or manufacturing companies to be a jolly good sport and freeze prices old chap for a few months to help out and all is just ridiculous. These companies have probably had to trim margins to the bone to survive anyhow, and even if they did do it then it's hardly any credit to the government apart from some grandiose language. 
Resolve dissolves in alcohol
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Re: Poll: Thailand growing more unhappy as cost of living so
On a way lesser scale..howcome Limes have almost doubled in price..??
Howcome palm-oil prices went up by about 30% almost overnight?
howcome Villa-Market's live yogurts have gone from 42B to 53 in a month?
(as a percentage, thats quite a hike).
Not to mention Tonic water..5-5!
Howcome palm-oil prices went up by about 30% almost overnight?
howcome Villa-Market's live yogurts have gone from 42B to 53 in a month?
(as a percentage, thats quite a hike).
Not to mention Tonic water..5-5!
Re: Poll: Thailand growing more unhappy as cost of living so
Well, looks like the government is going to give-it-a-go anyhow on the controlled prices front. This was in the Pattaya News today.
Thai Government Announces: Plate of Rice & Curry Maximun Price 35 THB
The rising cost of living continued to make headlines. The central committee on the prices (CCP) of goods & services decided to impose price controls on cooked meals. Price control measures will first apply to popular daily dishes, including those available on the streets. For example, rice topped with an omelette should cost no more than 15 to 20 THB; a plate of khao kaeng (rice served with curry) should sell at no more than 25 to 30 THB; a plate of rice with two side dishes 25 to 35 THB; and a bowl of noodles with pork, chicken or fish balls 25 to 35 THB. The government will shoulder more than 4 billion THB of the cost.
BANGKOK – May 10, 2012 [PDN]; The Ministry of Commerce stated that the price of 42-43 controlled items would be implemented in less than 2 weeks. Mr. Yanyong Puangraj-Permanent secretary of the ministry of commerce would consider the details and the price ceiling after that he would present it to the CCP meeting again. One area of specific concern was the minimum wage in the provinces which had been been raised to 300 THB per day.
The 42 items and services on the CCP announcement included; carton paper, printing paper, writing paper, sticky paper, garlic, instant coffee, liquid propane gas, corn, non dairy creamer, sweetened condensed milk, condensed milk, student uniforms, shampoo, powdered milk, fresh milk, drinking yogurt, yogurt ,sugar, oil, plant fat or animal, washing liquid,car batteries, fertilizer, wheat flour, cement, washing powder, dish washing products, sanitary napkins,cassava root and its product,drugs, plastic beads, para rubber,paper tissue, vehicles, trucks,motorcycles, soap, wire, pork, animal feed, iron steel distributor, iron sheet, steel, instant noodles, caned food, chicken eggs, and warehouse service.
The Ministry of Commerce concluded that the minimum wage had been raised, the fuel and electricity cost adjusted and the ministry would also consult with the Small Medium Enterprises; SMEs to raise the production efficiency after the 2011 flood disater.
Source http://www.pattayadailynews.com/en/2012 ... gertips%29
Got to admit that it might be tricky to enforce on the street and some other places unless they are relying on the average person being a snitch.
Thai Government Announces: Plate of Rice & Curry Maximun Price 35 THB
The rising cost of living continued to make headlines. The central committee on the prices (CCP) of goods & services decided to impose price controls on cooked meals. Price control measures will first apply to popular daily dishes, including those available on the streets. For example, rice topped with an omelette should cost no more than 15 to 20 THB; a plate of khao kaeng (rice served with curry) should sell at no more than 25 to 30 THB; a plate of rice with two side dishes 25 to 35 THB; and a bowl of noodles with pork, chicken or fish balls 25 to 35 THB. The government will shoulder more than 4 billion THB of the cost.
BANGKOK – May 10, 2012 [PDN]; The Ministry of Commerce stated that the price of 42-43 controlled items would be implemented in less than 2 weeks. Mr. Yanyong Puangraj-Permanent secretary of the ministry of commerce would consider the details and the price ceiling after that he would present it to the CCP meeting again. One area of specific concern was the minimum wage in the provinces which had been been raised to 300 THB per day.
The 42 items and services on the CCP announcement included; carton paper, printing paper, writing paper, sticky paper, garlic, instant coffee, liquid propane gas, corn, non dairy creamer, sweetened condensed milk, condensed milk, student uniforms, shampoo, powdered milk, fresh milk, drinking yogurt, yogurt ,sugar, oil, plant fat or animal, washing liquid,car batteries, fertilizer, wheat flour, cement, washing powder, dish washing products, sanitary napkins,cassava root and its product,drugs, plastic beads, para rubber,paper tissue, vehicles, trucks,motorcycles, soap, wire, pork, animal feed, iron steel distributor, iron sheet, steel, instant noodles, caned food, chicken eggs, and warehouse service.
The Ministry of Commerce concluded that the minimum wage had been raised, the fuel and electricity cost adjusted and the ministry would also consult with the Small Medium Enterprises; SMEs to raise the production efficiency after the 2011 flood disater.
Source http://www.pattayadailynews.com/en/2012 ... gertips%29
Got to admit that it might be tricky to enforce on the street and some other places unless they are relying on the average person being a snitch.
Resolve dissolves in alcohol
Re: Poll: Thailand growing more unhappy as cost of living so
As an afterthought, if I didn't know better (hopefully), this almost looks like a move towards a centralised economy rather that a market economy. Surely it/they can't be going down that route to disaster?
Resolve dissolves in alcohol
Re: Poll: Thailand growing more unhappy as cost of living so
I wonder if they'll enforce that in five star resort hotels?...a plate of rice with two side dishes 25 to 35 THB;