Thai Govt Acts To Soothe Price Fears

[whybother]

Am I correct in saying that the minimum wage increase is not going to be across the board at the moment, but only in certain sectors? That is the kiss of death for the poor who are not scheduled on the wage increase. Prices will rise, leaving those with more wages wondering why they dont have any more money, and those who are not on the new wage rise, thinking bloody hell what are we going to do. Inflation will go up up up. Seems like a good time right now to short the baht.

The 300 baht minimum wage is being implemented in 7 provinces in all "sectors".

[rubl]

I do most of my shopping at BigC, I pay by my SCB card which means my bank keeps a record. When I compare last year with this year I see no real change in my weekly expenditure. I have not cut back on anything so am rather puzzled by the fuss.

The price of whisky and beer in unchanged!

Whiskey I don't know, but my beer at 7/11 and the mom&pop shop opposite has increased a bit over the last year. Even a big Leo 48 Baht now. two carton Archa 75, used to be 69.

[Buchholz]

Bangkokians Not Confident in Government on Goods Prices

According to an opinion poll, most residents in Bangkok have no confidence in the government in addressing the rising cost of living.

Most want the prime minister to oversee the issue herself.

From March 20 to 22, Bangkok University asked 1,200 Bangkok residents for their opinions on the rising cost of living.

According to the survey results, 76.1 percent of the people say the current high goods prices have affected their way of life.

They claim that goods prices have been rising continuously despite their unchanged incomes. A total of 53.2 percent of the respondents say they are not making enough money and have to turn to their savings, take out loans or find additional sources of income.

At the same time, most blame the rising fuel cost, lack of state regulations, higher production cost, the minimum wage hike and the government's incompetence for the rising cost of living.

When asked if they are confident in the current government's attempt to address the problem, 61.3 percent said no while only 38.7 percent are still confident.

As for people's suggestions on what the government can do to improve the situation, most want the government to put a cap on prices followed by having the prime minister oversee the problem herself, raising the minimum wage for both the state and private sectors, and lowering fuel and goods prices.

-- Tan Network 2012-03-23

[ginjag]

My Big C is a different one to yours then Anterian, ALL meat has risen sharply chicken 40% pork 25% coke1.25 3 bht. eggs 30% you don't want to see any increases thats the problem, dont't joke with the punters on TV they will not swallow your rubbish, BUT I do agree you can live very cheaply here, as long as you do not -Dine out-Drink alcohol- keep to your bread and dripping -fried bread-egg sarneys- bread and milk- jam sandwiches, try a leg of lamb for a change, good quality cheese, with HP sauce, have a fling

[edwinchester]

"Prime Minister Yingluck has ordered all government agencies to reduce energy use by 10 per cent," Kittiratt said.

Most of the Public Service will end up in a coma.

Where I live all of the local Govt Offices and those of all the public utilities are aglow with countless multi coloured neon lights. Must cost a small fortune.

Posted with Thaivisa App http://apps.thaivisa.com

[Buchholz]

Thais struggling with rising prices : Survey

Most respondents, 61.3 per cent, of a poll on the current cost of living said they were not confident in the government's measures to handle the country's rising cost of living, according to Bangkok University poll.

Only 38.7 per cent of the respondents thought otherwise.

The survey on "People's Reflections on Current Costs of Living" was conducted among 1,203 people in metropolitan Bangkok, with 76.1 per cent of respondents saying that the prices of current consumer goods impact their living expenses and the wellbeing of their families, while 23.9 per cent said they didn't felt the pinch.

But more than half - 53.2 per cent - said that they could not make ends meet, and more than one in five - 22.3 per cent - needed to use their savings for day-to-day expenses. Meanwhile, 16.4 per cent said they needed loans or borrowed money from others to make ends meet.

The poll found that 14.5 per cent said they had to seek a second job or work overtime to boost their income.

In response to rising goods prices, 35.5 per cent said they were spending money more carefully, 23.2 per cent said they only bought necessities, while 16.2 per cent said they simply spent and bought less.

However, when asked about Yingluck government's performance, the respondents were evenly split, with 50.1 per cent saying the government paid attention to solving the cost of living problem while 49.9 per cent said it did not.

Nearly one-third, 29.3 per cent, said they wanted the government to keep goods prices under control to prevent further increases while 17.3 per cent suggested the prime minister herself should look into the problem.

-- The Nation 2012-03-23

[OzMick]

"Prime Minister Yingluck has ordered all government agencies to reduce energy use by 10 per cent," Kittiratt said.

Most of the Public Service will end up in a coma.

Where I live all of the local Govt Offices and those of all the public utilities are aglow with countless multi coloured neon lights. Must cost a small fortune.

Posted with Thaivisa App http://apps.thaivisa.com

If they were never turned off, about B4/day/light. Not exactly a fortune. (Assumptions: 40W x 24hours = <1kWh @ ~B4)

[Buchholz]

My god!!! she is a genius with her take on events as to 'why the prices of certain goods are high'.

Interesting to know how she is going to implement this 'stupid' "blue flag scheme". What is she to do - force people to sell their produce at unrealistically low prices whereby they don't make a profit??

I can recall only 1 'rediculous' and unworkable policy from the Democrat party and that is selling eggs be weight and not number!!! However, virtually every policy dished out by these morons is 'stupid beyond belief' - the kind of thing a 10 year old school boy with a vivid imagination would think up!!!

God help Thailand!!!!

update on the funding for the One Blue Flag, One Community program

Over 1.6 Billion Baht granted

http://thainews.prd.go.th/en/news.php?id=255503250008

[hellodolly]

They lost me first they say it is under control then they call a emergency meeting to discuss it.

[hellodolly]

Thais struggling with rising prices : Survey

Most respondents, 61.3 per cent, of a poll on the current cost of living said they were not confident in the government's measures to handle the country's rising cost of living, according to Bangkok University poll.

Only 38.7 per cent of the respondents thought otherwise.

The survey on "People's Reflections on Current Costs of Living" was conducted among 1,203 people in metropolitan Bangkok, with 76.1 per cent of respondents saying that the prices of current consumer goods impact their living expenses and the wellbeing of their families, while 23.9 per cent said they didn't felt the pinch.

But more than half - 53.2 per cent - said that they could not make ends meet, and more than one in five - 22.3 per cent - needed to use their savings for day-to-day expenses. Meanwhile, 16.4 per cent said they needed loans or borrowed money from others to make ends meet.

The poll found that 14.5 per cent said they had to seek a second job or work overtime to boost their income.

In response to rising goods prices, 35.5 per cent said they were spending money more carefully, 23.2 per cent said they only bought necessities, while 16.2 per cent said they simply spent and bought less.

However, when asked about Yingluck government's performance, the respondents were evenly split, with 50.1 per cent saying the government paid attention to solving the cost of living problem while 49.9 per cent said it did not.

Nearly one-third, 29.3 per cent, said they wanted the government to keep goods prices under control to prevent further increases while 17.3 per cent suggested the prime minister herself should look into the problem.

-- The Nation 2012-03-23

while 23.9 per cent said they didn't felt the pinch.

I bet that about three fourth of those would not feel the pinch if every thing doubled in price tomorrow.

[Buchholz]

Bus Operators Seek Fare Increase

The Transport Ministry will finalize the decision on the fare increase for bus operators by April 25. It has promised that the decision will be fair for all parties.

This morning, representatives from the Converted-bus Operators Association and the Private Bus Operators Association submitted a petition to Deputy Transport Minister Chatchart Sitthipan, seeking emergency assistance after their request for fare increase has been denied by the Central Land Transport Committee.

The deputy transport minister said after receiving the petition that the ministry is willing to listen to all operators' problems.

Chatchart noted that all bus operators will be invited to discuss the problems by the end of this week.

The talks must be carried out separately as each group has different problems with fuel cost and different amount of subsidy given by the government.

The Central Land Transport Committee will meet again to finalize its decision on the matter on April 25.

Private Bus Operators Association Bunyong Amporntrakul insisted that fare increase is necessary to cover rising operating and fuel costs.

He said operators will wait for the government's approval while planning to meet the deputy transport minister again by the end of this week to clarify the cost structure.

In the meantime, Chatchai Phuaree, Chairman of the Converted-bus Operators Association, said if the Central Land Transport Committee's next meeting will still reject the request for fare hike, the group will reduce the number of trips in order to cope with problems of high operating cost and low passenger number.

Chatchai added that the association will also file a lawsuit against the ministry with the Administrative Court to demand justice, adding it is facing loss of 400 baht per day.

He affirmed that his group has no plan to use its converted buses to surround the Transport Ministry as rumored as it believes that no one will benefit from such an action.

-- Tan Network 2012-03-26

[Buchholz]

Taxi cooperatives demand fare increase

Taxi cooperatives are demanding a higher fare for taxi rides.

"We will ask the Transport Ministry to approve the higher rate of taxi fares," Witoon Naewpanich, a leader of the cooperatives, said Monday.

He said the increase was necessary in the face of rising living cost and rising energy price.

According to the taxi cooperatives' proposal, a taxi ride for a distance not exceeding one kilometre will still cost just Bt35. However, for the additional kilometres, the fares will be up by between eight to 15 per cent.

-- The Nation 2012-03-26