On Thursday, a ministry source said the ministry might consider allowing the makers of two or three consumer products to raise retail prices because manufacturers were hurting from skyrocketing oil prices.

So far, products that might be given exceptions are lubricants, chemical fertilisers and plastic wares.

The ministry source said that since those products, under the ministry's price controls, were most exposed to soaring oil prices, they should be allowed to make the first moves.

The Internal Trade Department has not allowed new price hikes for any products yet, according to Siripol Yodmuangcharoen, its director-general.

"We are now looking at the costs and margins of consumer

goods manufacturers," he said. "This stringent measure is aimed at helping consumers get fair prices."

He admitted that the ministry would eventually have to let some prices go up, but refused to say when.

The price of sugar in fancy packaging increased yesterday to Bt18.25 per kilogram, and to Bt18 per kilo for normal packages.

Last week the Commerce Ministry gave the green light to the sugar price hikes - the second increase this year - to appease sugar refiners who have been squawking about rising costs.

Petchanet Pratruangkrai

The Nation