Commerce Ministry to curb price of goods

The Commerce Ministry has vowed to do all it can to control rising consumer goods prices when the retail price of diesel fuel is allowed to rise on May 1.

Boonyarit Kalayanamit, permanent secretary for the ministry, on Sunday said the government will allow the price of diesel to rise above 30 baht per litre, prompting public concern that prices of consumer goods will also increase, driving up the cost of living.

He said the ministry has analysed the cost of products, and even if there is a diesel price surge, this does not mean the cost of every product will increase.

It is necessary to consider whether high pricing actually reflects production costs, he said.

If costs prove to be high, the price of products may have to be allowed to increase, he said. However, if the costs…