Cabinet approves price controls on 5 additional items

The Cabinet has approved a renewed and expanded list of 61 goods and 5 services subject to state price controls, to ease the cost of living, prevent price gouging and ensure fair trade practices across the country.

Deputy Government Spokesperson Lalida Periswiwatana announced yesterday that the decision follows a proposal by the Central Committee on Prices of Goods and Services (CCP). The move ensures seamless continuity of state oversight, allowing the government to respond swiftly to volatile market conditions.

The latest list consolidates previously approved price-controlled goods and services while adding five new items, namely soybean meal, Asian seabass, young coconuts, soy sauce and fish sauce.

According to Lalida, the inclusion of soy and fish sauce represents a structural separation from the broader seasoning sauces category. This adjustment aims to enhance regulatory clarity and better align with current market realities.

Price control declarations are authorised under the Goods and Services Prices Act of 1999, which empowers the CCP, subject to Cabinet approval, to regulate items to prevent unfair pricing, restrictive trade conditions and consumer exploitation. By law, the control list must undergo review at least once a year.

“The government remains highly focused on monitoring essential goods and services that impact everyday life, particularly amid fluctuating production costs and market uncertainty,” Lalida said.

She emphasised that the government will implement these legal frameworks balanced against the interests of all stakeholders, ensuring fairness for consumers, businesses and farmers alike, while maintaining overall economic stability.

The 61 controlled goods cover essential categories, such as agricultural products, construction materials, paper products and daily consumer staples.

Notable items include pork, chicken, eggs, rice, cooking oil, sugar, instant noodles, fertilisers, petroleum gas (LPG), cement, steel, sanitary pads, detergents, medicines and medical services.

The five controlled services retained on the list include franchising distribution rights and associated fees, commercial product lending, warehousing services (silos and cold storage), counter payment services and delivery services for online businesses.