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 We know only when our savings from our salary become thinner or, in many cases, nothing is left on top of outstanding loans.

But we do know the cost of living is rising higher.

The somtam shop where I'm a regular patron recently raised its prices. Before, sticky rice in a plastic bag cost only Bt5. Now, despite the Commerce Ministry's campaign to have sellers raise prices in accordance with actual cost increases, this shop, like others, has raised its sticky rice price to Bt10. Okay, it's only Bt5, but in percentage terms that's 100 per cent!

On my latest visit, I noticed that khanom jeen (spicy Thai-style noodles) now costs Bt15, up from Bt10, or a 50-per-cent increase. The price of a half-chicken remains Bt30 as usual, but the size is much smaller than before.

The only cheap item near Seri Centre is fruit from the eastern part of Thailand. As I reported earlier, 7 kilograms of mangosteens now cost a mere Bt100. Maybe it's time for all of us to turn vegetarian.

Salary workers are crying foul over their fixed pay against skyrocketing food prices. Any company that doles out special allowances or raises salaries at this time should be commended.

Among these companies, I like the approach of Post Publishing, the publisher of the Bangkok Post and Post Today.

Journalists travel a lot, two or three destinations in a day. That requires a hefty sum for travelling expenses.

Before, Post Publishing's news employees received a fixed amount of Bt6,000 a month. Now, with oil prices ceaselessly rising, the company has adopted a floating rate. What's more, the rate is based on the final price of premium petrol each month.

Assuming one consumes 207 litres of petrol a month, the travel allowance would thus moves up and down in line with the petrol price. As this is not fixed, the company will see its expenses move accordingly with the petrol price.

Wow! If Post Publishing moves near Seri Centre, its employees could enjoy the hot flavours of the somtam shop without bemoaning the price.