Commerce Ministry keeps close watch on drought-induced price hikes

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BANGKOK, 17 March 2013The Ministry of Commerce is closely monitoring the prices of 10 agricultural products after drought has driven prices of some items up. 

Director-General of the Department of Internal Trade (DIT) Wiboonlasana Ruamraksa said the ministry has been persuading merchants to attach or clearly show prices for all of their products, after the department’s hotline 1596 has been swamped with consumer complaints.

Regarding the effects of the drought on goods prices, Ms. Wiboonlasana said, currently, there are 10 products that have seen their prices increased. They are such as lime, morning glory and parsley.

The DIT director-general said the ministry will keep a close watch on the pricing of all these items, from farms to shelves.

She added that department officers have been dispatched to make a weekly inspection check and report on product prices.