Siripol Yodmuangcharoen, director-general of the Internal Trade Department, said last week that the inclusion of these items would bring the watch list to 170, but he refused to identify the new products other than to say they all had a strong impact on the cost of living.

The department will start monitoring the retail price movements of the 20 goods every two or three days as soon as Commerce Minister Somkid Jatusripitak gives his approval.

If the department spots unusual price movements, it can ask the manufacturer to provide cost information to defend its changes.

The department also closely watches 26 goods items on its control list.

The department fears that consumers may panic and stock up on those goods because they are afraid of price rises and product shortages.

Any manufacturer wishing to raise its retail price on controlled items needs to seek approval from the Internal Trade Department. Violators of retail laws will be treated more strictly than in the past.

The ministry will also consider expanding its programmes to help consumers' budgets.

It has launched projects including food carts selling inexpensive dishes, factory outlets and caravans of cheap goods travelling to each province.

Siripol said the ministry was confident that its measures would reduce the stress of consumers during this period of high oil prices and that inflation would not exceed the ministry's forecast of 3.5-4.5 per cent this year.

Petchanet Pratruangkrai

The Nation