People are severely burdened by the crisis.The cost of livingis soaring, with fresh food items—"pork, chicken, eggs"—consistently raising prices. Recently, red pork prices surpassed 165 baht per kilogram, fresh chicken rose by 10 baht, and retail egg prices reached 4 baht per egg, contrary to the Ministry of Commerce’s continued stance on price controls.
A report from the Ministry of Commerce states that people are currently suffering greatly from sharply rising living costs, especially fresh food items like meat and eggs, which have clearly increased in price amid the Middle East conflict affecting global energy costs and supply chains. This contrasts with the Ministry's position that no goods have been authorized for price increases and that price controls remain in effect.
According to the Department of Internal Trade, prices of many fresh food items have already risen. Fresh chicken including cut chicken parts such as drumsticks, which were sold at 80–85 baht per kilogram in early March, have been gradually increased since 9 March and now range from 90–95 baht per kilogram.Chicken thighshave also risen from 85–100 baht per kilogram to 95–100 baht per kilogram.
, Red pork has rapidly increased, reaching a peak of 165 baht per kilogram, up from 145–150 baht per kilogram in early March. As of 20 March, prices rose to 150–165 baht per kilogram, an increase of 5–15 baht per kilogram, consistent with data from the Office of Agricultural Economics indicating thatporkfarm gate prices in Nakhon Pathom province have risen from 56 baht to 62 baht per kilogram, a 6 baht increase, reflecting rising farm-level costs being passed on to end consumers.
As for eggs, prices have also increased, especially for size 3 eggs, which are popular among consumers, with a price hike starting 16 March.Previously,prices were 3.5–3.6 baht per egg, now increased to 3.7–3.8 baht per egg, a rise of 20 satang per egg, equating to 6 baht more per tray (30 eggs). However, in small retail shops, egg prices have already exceeded 4 baht per egg, placing a burden on households that buy eggs daily.
This price increase contrasts with the Ministry of Commerce’s assertionthatno product has been approved for price hikes and that cooperation is still being sought from businesses to maintain stable prices. However, figures from the Department of Internal Trade and the Office of Agricultural Economics clearly show that prices have increased, heavily burdeningthe publicamid an economic slowdown and the impacts of the Middle East conflict.
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