The Department of Internal Trade revealed the diesel price crisis with prices soaring to 50 baht per liter, pushing product costs up by as much as 44.4%, especially in the chemical fertilizer sector. Recently, the department ordered operators requesting price increases for palm oil, soap, and shampoo to hold back and launched the “Thong Fah-Thai Help Thai” campaign nationwide to urgently alleviate the public’s living expenses.
Mr. Witthayakorn Maneenet, Director-General of the Department of Internal Trade, Ministry of Commerce, disclosed the analysis results regarding diesel prices rising to 50 baht per liter, stating that this situation affects product cost structures differently, with average increases ranging from 0.7% to 44.4%, depending on the product category.
According to the Department of Internal Trade’s assessment, five main product categories affected by increased transportation costs are as follows:
However, Mr. Witthayakorn emphasized that the increased costs from higher diesel prices will not immediately raise product prices, as pricing structures and other factors must be considered. If price adjustments are necessary, increases will be minimized to avoid burdening the public.
Currently, 15 controlled items requiring prior approval for price adjustments have submitted requests, especially “palm oil”, with four applications already submitted. The department is analyzing costs and checking old stock.
Although acknowledging that palm fruit costs rose in 2026 to 8 baht per kilogram and crude palm oil prices reached 41.75 baht (compared to 5.73 baht and 33.47 baht in 2025, respectively), narrowing the price margin between crude and bottled palm oil to just 0.25-8 baht, the department is urging operators to gradually adjust prices to lessen impact.
For soap and shampoo products requesting price adjustments, the department is taking two weeks to review pricing structures and may ask manufacturers to delay increases if profits remain sufficient. Other controlled goods such as instant noodles, canned fish, powdered milk, and other consumer products have not requested price hikes, with many producers willing to reduce profits to absorb costs and help the public.
Regarding chemical fertilizers, although no price increase requests have been made, producers report that global urea fertilizer prices have surged from 500 to 800 US dollars per ton, a rise more severe than during the Russia-Ukraine war. Currently, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs is expediting negotiations to import additional fertilizers from sources including Malaysia, Brunei, and Iran to meet farmers’ demand. Over 1,065 fertilizer retailers have been inspected; six violators have been prosecuted.
As for plastic pellets, recently declared controlled items, the department is focusing oversight on three product groups directly impacting the public: food packaging (hot bags and carrier bags), fertilizer sacks, and medical equipment (blood and saline bags). Operators are required to report prices and volumes weekly to prevent hoarding.
To alleviate difficulties, the Ministry of Commerce has prepared assistance measures through the “Thai Help Thai” project, collaborating with department stores and major producers to offer discounted products and increase SME product sales.
Additionally, the ministry plans to expand the Thong Fah project with over 1,518 events and 5,000 Thong Fah Mobile vehicles distributing essential goods to communities and remote areas. They will also launch Green Flag Fertilizer to reduce fertilizer prices for farmers, starting immediately in 10 provinces from April to May 2026, before scaling to 100 events in the following months.
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