March 15, 2008
Bangkok - Commerce Minister Mingkwan Saengsuwan’s policies to freeze the pork price and reduce product prices do not solve the problems properly, according to University of the Thai Chamber of Commerce (UTCC)’s poll.
UTCC surveyed entrepreneurs’ opinions on the interference of the prices of 400 product items. 44.6% fairly agreed to the interference of the product prices. 29.2% agreed to it very much while 21.5% did not agree.
“Entrepreneurs thought the prices of the products should be in line with the real costs so as not to affect both consumers and manufacturers,”
27.7% agreed very much to let the product prices be based on the market forces.
63.5% agreed that the prices of products which are necessary for daily life should be controlled.
However, 75.8% thought the control of product prices was not a proper way to deal with the problem.
The survey took place after Commerce Minister Mingkwan had reached an agreement with manufacturers to cut 5-10% of the price of 60 consumer product items for three-six months.
