NONTHABURI, Dec 10 (TNA) – The Internal Trade Department under the Commerce Ministry told manufacturers not to raise their product prices because the minimum daily wage rise by up to 6 baht would increase their production costs by only 0.006-0.6%.
Whichai Phochanakij, director-general of the department, said the minimum daily wage increase from 325 to 331 baht on Jan 1, 2020 would hardly impact product prices.
According to him, the 0.6% higher costs would go to school uniforms, vinegar, talcum powder, light bulbs, tires, Portland cement, plastic bags and chemical fertilizers. The least impact with 0.006% higher costs will be with toothpaste, powdered milk, small trucks, refrigerators, hot rolled steel sheets, lubricant, animal feed and school shoes.
Given the slight impacts, the Internal Trade Department would not allow manufacturers to raise the prices of their products, Mr Whichai said. No manufacturers contacted the department to request a price rise, he said.
He also ordered his provincial officials to check prices at local stores to prevent a price rise. (TNA)
