Unstoppable Price Pressure! Prepare for Price Hikes in 6 Product Groups After Songkran Due to Soaring Oil Prices

Thai consumers should prepare for rising living costs as five major manufacturing companies signal plans to raise prices of consumer goods in April 2026. Meanwhile, the Ministry of Commerce is urgently coordinating with nine leading producers to stabilize prices and ease the burden amid continuously rising global oil prices caused by the conflict in the Middle East.

Six product groups are under close watch for potential price increases after Songkran.

Recent monitoring shows at least six product categories affected by higher production costs, especially those using plastic packaging and products requiring high energy for transportation, including:

1. Beverages and dairy products : Plastic bottle costs are rising along with crude oil prices.

2. Cooking oil : Both raw material and packaging costs are impacted.

3. Construction materials : Cement, steel bars, and PVC pipes face clearly increased transportation costs.

4. Alcoholic beverages : Wholesale prices have reportedly increased since mid-March.

5. Products containing solvents : Such as house paint and chemicals, due to import restrictions.

6. Toilet paper and laundry detergent : These essential goods are being closely monitored by the government.

Energy crisis worsens as oil prices soar and electricity tariffs may rise.

The Middle East situation has pushed Brent crude oil prices to $112.5 per barrel (data as of 21 Mar 2026), causing nationwide logistic costs to increase.

• Electricity tariffs : For the May–August 2026 period, prices tend to rise following LNG prices reaching $25 per unit. However, the Energy Regulatory Commission and government are trying to keep rates at 3.88 baht per unit, possibly using a 9.4 billion baht clawback fund from the three power authorities to stabilize prices temporarily.

Five companies signal product price adjustments in 2026.

These companies have sent notifications to their partners and retailers nationwide about the need to plan stock levels due to rising raw material, packaging, and transportation costs.

1. Sahapat Group (Sahapat Development Public Company Limited) : The giant producer of "Mama" instant noodles and hundreds of consumer products.

2. Nestlé : Reports significant impacts on plastic packaging and plastic film used to wrap products.

3. Unilever : Major daily consumer goods manufacturer (detergents, soaps, shampoos).

4. F&N : Producer of sweetened condensed milk, UHT milk, and pasteurized milk, stating efforts to hold prices but may need to raise them if the situation persists.

5. BJC (Berli Jucker) : Manufacturer of tissue paper, glass packaging, and other consumer goods.

Besides these five major companies, there are also construction materials companies like TOA which have reported delayed transportation and rising petrochemical costs.

Government measures to manage the situation include price stabilization and cost control.

• Uniting nine major producers : The Department of Internal Trade has met with large producers (such as Sahapat, Unilever, Nestlé, etc.) to ensure sufficient stock and to keep essential consumer goods prices stable at least until the end of April 2026.
• Strict control of 59 regulated products : Close monitoring of prices for essential goods (rice, meat, eggs, cooking oil) based on actual cost structures to prevent opportunistic price hikes.
• Supply chain management : The government is seeking alternative import sources for raw materials (e.g., plastic pellets, solvents) to reduce the impact of soaring packaging costs caused by the global energy crisis.

Citizens who observe arbitrary price increases or exploitative behavior can report to:

• The Department of Internal Trade hotline 1569 (with officers responding and investigating within 24–48 hours).
• Provincial Commerce Offices nationwide.

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