Nonthaburi: The Department of Internal Trade is tightening controls on plastic pellets, soy sauces, and bottled water to mitigate the risk of rising costs and shortages. This follows the ongoing conflict in the Middle East, which is causing volatility in global energy and raw material prices. The department is accelerating the use of laws to regulate upstream pricing structures to prevent negative impacts on the cost of living for the public.
According to Thai News Agency, Mr. Witiyakorn Maneenet, Director-General of the Department of Internal Trade, revealed that conflicts in several regions, particularly the Middle East, have caused volatility and a continuous upward trend in global energy and raw material prices. This is beginning to reflect in the cost of domestic production. Therefore, the Department of Internal Trade is accelerating structural regulatory measures, focusing on controlling upstream raw materials alongside pricing structures to prevent the impact from spreading to the prices of consumer goods across the board.
The Central Committee on Prices of Goods and Services (CCPG) has been using legal measures while closely monitoring the situation. Three items - plastic pellets, soy sauce, and bottled water - have been designated as controlled goods because they are key raw materials impacting the cost structure of a wide range of products. This is to prevent price adjustments that do not reflect actual costs and to maintain price stability in the market.
Simultaneously, the Department of Internal Trade has continuously invited manufacturers, importers, and businesses involved with key raw materials for discussions to closely monitor stock levels, quantities, costs, and market trends. This allows the government to gain a comprehensive view of the supply chain and enables accurate policy management, reducing risks such as shortages and price adjustments that do not reflect actual costs.
For plastic pellets, a key raw material in the petrochemical and packaging industries, regulatory measures have been established covering PE, PP, and PET plastic pellets used to produce packaging such as plastic bottles, plastic bags, caps, and gallons. Manufacturers, importers, distributors, and buyers for production are required to report purchase and selling prices, production volume, import volume, usage volume, and remaining stock volume to the Department of Internal Trade weekly. This allows for continuous monitoring of cost structures and enables timely action before any impact on end-product prices.
Regarding condiments and bottled water, the Department of Internal Trade closely monitors both the quantity of goods and price changes. If signs of shortages or significant price fluctuations are detected, relevant legal measures can be taken immediately to maintain market stability and protect consumers.
Mr. Witiyakorn further stated that the Joint Standing Committee on Commerce, Industry and Banking (JSCCIB) is also monitoring key agricultural products, including young coconuts and coconut products, sea bass, and soybean meal, which require close attention to prevent negative impacts on prices and farmers' income.
In the case of young coconuts, the use of impurities in place of genuine coconut water has resulted in a decreased demand for the actual raw material in the export industry, particularly the Chinese market, leading to a drop in domestic coconut prices. Meanwhile, the import of sea bass from neighboring countries is being closely monitored to prevent any negative impact on Thai fish farmers. As for soybean meal, the quantity is being regulated to ensure sufficient supply for domestic use.
These three agricultural products will undergo a comprehensive consultation process with all stakeholders before being submitted to the Cabinet for consideration and designation as controlled goods.
"The Department of Internal Trade will continue to oversee the pricing structure of goods to ensure fair prices, market stability, and help reduce the cost of living for the public amidst the volatility of the global economy."