Image from The Nation Thailand/ANN.
BANGKOK, June 12 (The Nation Thailand/ANN): Instant noodle manufacturers are being asked to maintain the retail price of their products for as long as possible, Thailand's Commerce Ministry said on Sunday.
In fact, The Commerce Ministry has told the manufacturers of instant noodles – a popular food for many Thais – to maintain the retail price of a basic packet at 6 baht for as long as possible.
Wattanasak Sur-iam, director-general of the ministry’s Department of Internal Trade, said manufacturers of several commodities have sought permission to up their retail prices.
He said the department is considering each request carefully to ensure it does not affect consumers.
“The department will discuss appropriate price increases with different manufacturers, but want to emphasise that the price of instant noodles will remain the same for now,” he said.
He added that manufacturers cannot increase the price of any commodities without permission.
Earlier, Saha Group had asked to increase the price of its popular Mama instant noodles because the cost of raw materials, especially wheat and palm oil, had risen significantly.
The group’s chairman Boonsithi Chokwatana said the current economic situation was worse than the 1997 Asian financial crisis when higher costs had forced Saha Group to increase the retail price of its products.
“It’s no different today. Saha Group needs to raise the prices due to the constant increase in the cost of raw materials,” he said.
According to Boonsithi, the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic was not as bad as the impact of the ongoing war, which does not seem to have an end in sight.
“Price increase is inevitable for Saha Group. We will minimise the impact on consumers and give them time to prepare,” he said. - The Nation Thailand/ANN
