Rice price hikes worry restaurant owners, some pass costs to diners

Rice prices have begun to climb, causing restaurateurs concern about the cost of producing made-to-order meals. Despite this, some restaurants have opted not to increase prices, sympathising with their customers. They are instead appealing to the government to control the cost.

The Ministry of Commerce directed related agencies to balance rice prices after a lull in rainfall from El Niño and India’s suspension of rice exports, causing global market costs to rise.

Piriya Liaochareon, owner of a made-to-order food restaurant located in Ban Pong District, Ratchaburi Province, says that she has been running her business for six years with the majority of her customers from local communities. She set the sale price for rice dishes at 30 baht per plate, with some deluxe meal choices priced between 40 to 50 baht, reported KhaoSod.

Each month, she has to buy…