Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul looks at consumer goods displayed on newly launched mobile grocery trucks offering discounted prices to help ease the public's cost of living. Business operators are expected to raise prices for goods and services by no more than 20%,says the central bank.
The Bank of Thailand expects business operators to raise prices for goods and services by no more than 20%, with more frequent price adjustments in response to higher energy costs.The central bank's business survey found most large Thai companies plan to increase prices by no more than 20%, with adjustments remaining below the pace of rising costs due to constraints from weak purchasing power and intense competition.
The pass-through of higher energy costs has already occurred in the transport sector, particularly for public transport fares and airline tickets, said Don Nakornthab, assistant governor for monetary policy at the regulator.
Other affected sectors include fisheries, which are energy-intensive, as well as tourism-related businesses such as hotels. Industries facing higher raw material costs include petrochemicals, chemicals, plastics and agriculture, which have been stung by rising energy prices.
