The announcement followed a meeting between the department and gas manufacturers, who had asked for approval for a price rise this month to cover higher transportation costs.

The department's director-general, Siripol Yodmuangcharoen, said that although they all faced higher fuel bills for transportation, gas manufacturers had agreed to withhold the price increase.

They sought an increase of 15 satang per kilogram, or between Bt10 and Bt15 per 15kg tank. One producer said they would defer the increase if the government supplied them with cheap diesel.

Siripol said that all related organisations would meet again after June 20 to see if the price should be raised.

"For now, consumers can rest assured that the cooking gas price will be maintained, to reduce their burden," he said.

According to the Commerce Ministry, the retail price of a 15kg tank of cooking gas is Bt265, while the price for a 48kg tank is between Bt810 and Bt820.

Meanwhile, the Internal Trade Department has called on manufacturers to increase sugar supplies to department stores around the country in an effort to overcome the continuing shortage.

The problem still exists even though the Commerce Ministry recently allowed an increase in retail prices, from Bt14.25 per kg to Bt17.50.

Currently, about 20 per cent of sugar production goes to the domestic market, but the department said this should be increased to help eliminate the shortage.

Siripol said all manufacturers had agreed to supply more one-kilo packs of sugar to department stores within a couple months, until the shortage is solved.

Siripol also suggested that producers should supply the market with refined sugar in sufficient quantities, rather than other kinds of sugar that carry higher value.

"Sufficient refined or normal sugar should be available for consumption before the producers offer other kinds of sugar, such as caramel sugar. Refined sugar is a major raw material for many activities," he said.

Petchanet Pratruangkrai

The Nation