Sugar Crisis Looming: Supplies May Be Cut

[Jai Dee]

PRODUCERS THREATEN TO STOP SUGAR SUPPLIES IF DEMANDS ARE NOT MET.

The Sugar Cane Producer Association urged the government to follow their 3-point demands within 7 days, threatening to stop sugar supplies to market if the government fails to do so.

President of the Sugar Cane Producer Association, Supan Daojampa (สุพันธ์ ดาวจำปา) said that the Association would like the government to reinstate Permanent Secretary of the Industry Ministry Chakramon Phasukavanich (จักรมณฑ์ ผาสุกวนิช) as president of the committee on sugar cane and sugar, while removing sugar from the Department of Internal Trade’s controlled goods. It also wants the government to let market forces set the price of sugar according to reality, and to allow imports of sugar under the World Trade Organization’s framework. He said that the three demands must be met within 7 days; otherwise, the association will stop supplying sugar to the market.

Secretary-General of the Sugar Cane Producers Association, Region 7, in the Northeastern Region, Kamtorn Kittichote (กำธร กิตติโชติ) said that the retail prices of sugar in Thailand are much lower than those in neighboring countries, because Thailand is a producer and exporter of raw sugar to those countries. He said that those sugar exports are sold for 14.50 baht per kilogram, while the domestic price remains at 11 baht per kilogram only.

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 05 January 2006

[Jai Dee]

THE PRICE OF SUGAR IN PHUKET HAS SOARD TO 18 BAHT PER KILOGRAM.

The price of sugar in Phuket (ภูเก็ต) has soared to 18 baht per kilogram, after there is a shortage of supply.

Head of Internal Trade Office in Phuket, Sompoj Sangkapong (สมโภชน์ สังขพงษ์) revealed that the prices of sugar fluctuate in response to supplies of sugar. He said that recently, sugar supplies in the province have fallen, causing the price to increase to 17-18 baht per kilogram. He reiterated, however, that the province has no permanent shortage problem, adding that if there are more sugar supplies coming into the province, the retail prices will fall. However, he said the price will still be higher than that set by the Department of Internal Trade, expecting that sugar will be sold at around 14.50 baht instead of 11 baht.

However, he said that to relieve the people’s burden, the Office has coordinated with the Department to sell low-price sugar in Phuket at the price close to the controlled prices in Bangkok and vicinity areas soon.

As for price-setting for sugar in Phuket, Mr. Sompoj said that the meeting has agreed not to fix sugar prices in the province, as there are fears that if the controlled prices are lower than the market prices, the price differences will lead to black markets, where sugar can be sold for higher prices, which will result in real shortage of the product.

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 05 January 2006

[sierra01]

It's time to get a little stock in, just in case, I like my Sainsbury's tea sweet!

Do any of you Brits remember the sugar shortage in the UK, back in the 70's I think, or maybe the 60's? My Mum went mad and filled her cupboards with the stuff!

[britainmal]

Thailand does not understand free-market economics. They want to limit the supply in the country and set the price so they can sell it dirt cheap in the country and then sell it for a higher price in the poor neighboring countries. Thailand is being very selfish and shewd. They need to slapped with some economic sanctions for not adhering to the free-market rules of engagement.

[Jai Dee]

DIRECTOR OF DEPT OF INTERNAL TRADE: POWER TO REMOVE SUGAR FROM THE LIST OF CONTROLLED GOODS LIES IN HANDS OF COMMERCE MINISTRY.

Director-general of Internal Trade Department Siripol Yodmuangjaroen (ศิริพล ยอดเมืองเจริญ) indicates that the power to remove sugar from the list of controlled goods, as demanded by the sugar cane producers, must be considered by committee on products and services.

Mr. Siripol said that the removal of sugar from the list depends on the judgment of the committee on products and services, chaired by Deputy Prime Minister and Commerce Minister Somkid Jatusripitak (สมคิด จาตุศรีพิทักษ์). He said that the products can be taken of the controlled list only if they will not cause intense competition in the market, which could affect consumers. He said, however, that the control of prices will be effective for one year, adding that if the products do not fall in the criteria set by the Committee on products and goods, they will not be controlled again.

As for the sugar price crisis, Mr. Siripol said that this matter needs to be deliberated carefully , as the prices are still quite volatile. However, he urged all sides to look at the problems holistically, because the Commerce Ministry wants justice for consumers but that justice is also demanded by producers.

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 05 January 2006

[Jai Dee]

GOVERNMENT NOT YET FLOATING SUGAR PRICE, BUT EXPECTS TO FOSTER CLARITY ON THE ISSUE IN A FEW DAYS

The government is not yet allowing sugar prices to flow, but expects that clarity on this would be at hand within 1-2 days.

Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra this morning spoke on the case of sugar stockpiling that has led to the shortage of sugar in the market and the increase in price. He said the move has been prompted by the global sugar price presently being higher than the domestic price, therefore, causing stockpiling of sugar to send for selling abroad.

The prime minister said sugar cane remnants are being used to produce ethanol, and this has caused a shortage of the material for consumption. The government is currently pondering over how to solve the problem, and clarity should be yielded within 1-2 days. As for whether to float the sugar price, the prime minister said he will make the consideration based on the price foundation and the demand for sugar.

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 05 January 2006

[astral]

This should help the campaign against childhood obesity.

[cclub75]

Thailand does not understand free-market economics. They want to limit the supply in the country and set the price so they can sell it dirt cheap in the country and then sell it for a higher price in the poor neighboring countries. Thailand is being very selfish and shewd. They need to slapped with some economic sanctions for not adhering to the free-market rules of engagement.

Maybe they understand it too well.

The only problem is that they believe that they are smarter than the entire world...

And they believe that they can "have it all" : cheap controled price at home to "reduce" inflation, happy producers and consummers, strong export, etc. etc. The backfire is going to be brutal (oil subsidy, natural gas subsidy, rice subsidy etc.).

[thaiflyer1]

This would explain why Carrefour (Pattaya) had no white sugar yesterday.............had to buy the brown variety.............its ok in coffee but lousy over Cornflakes.

[Gary A]

I returned from Jomtien to Loei province on the 2nd. I was very irritated because of the huge ancient 10 wheelers pulling equally huge four wheel trailers overloaded with sugar cane. Traffic heading south was horrible so passing was difficult to say the least. The trucks and trailers were bulging so wide that there is no way they could use their mirrors. After I got home I was complaining to a good Thai friend of mine that there was no way these vehicles should be on the road. He told me that the police have been ordered to leave them alone and that no sugar cane truck should be stopped. NOW I know why.

[Jai Dee]

MINISTER SOMKID: THE PRICE OF SUGAR HAS NOT BEEN FINALIZED YET

Deputy Prime Minister and Commerce Minister Somkid Jatusripitak (สมคิด จาตุศรีพิทักษ์) insisted that the price of sugar will not be adjusted yet, while vowing to look after production and distribution systems of the product to prevent shortages.

Mr. Somkid called a meeting of sugar factory owners yesterday, asking for their cooperation to supply sugar to middlemen every week, while provincial commerce officials will help manage transports of the product to prevent hoarding. He insisted that the factory entrepreneurs promise to accelerate production, take care of sale systems.

Mr. Somkid reiterated that the price of sugar will not be adjusted yet, adding that provincial governors and the commerce ministry will look after the sugar price problem in each province.

Meanwhile, deputy Commerce Minister Preecha Laohapongchana () said that in the past, entrepreneurs reportedly smuggled sugar to neighboring countries where sugar can be sold for higher prices. He said that sugar factory owners have been told to supply middlemen with sugar every week, and not to sell sugar to those who buy very large amounts of sugar, to prevent smuggling of the products to the neighboring countries.

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 06 January 2006

[Jai Dee]

PM SAID THE GOVT WILL SOLVE SUGAR PRICE DISPUTE AS BEST AS POSSIBLE.

Prime Minister Thaksin Shinnawat (ทักษิณ ชินวัตร) reiterated that the government will solve the sugar price problem as best as possible.

Prime Minister Thaksin said that he ordered inspection of all sugar stocks since Tuesday, adding that he is considering demands of sugar cane producers for a removal of sugar from a list of controlled items. In the past, sugar has been listed as a controlled product. He said that the removal of the product from the list must be deliberated carefully and based on reality.

The premier also said that consumers will not be affected much from the rising sugar prices, as they consume 2 kilograms of sugar per month. However, large entrepreneurs and industries that have sugar as their main component such as sodas and candies will be severely impacted.

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 06 January 2006

[Scott]

God I am glad. I hope I can get something to eat without having a ton of sugar dumped on it!

[Jai Dee]

Government denies existence of shortage

Distribution still the main problem

The government insisted yesterday that sugar inventories were adequate to cover domestic demand, and that supplies in the country had yet to reach a critical condition. Siripol Yodmuangcharoen, the director-general of the Internal Trade Department, said inventories totalled 9.39 million sacks (one sack is 100 kg) of white sugar.

The figures were based on a survey of local wholesalers, traders, retailers and industrial factories handling at least 10,000 kg of stocks.

The largest portion, about 6.16 million sacks, was found in rented private warehouses, with the remaining amount among factories, wholesalers and retailers.

''The inventory report helps us know whether there is sugar hoarding in the market,'' said Mr Siripol.

''Given the domestic production of about 20 million sacks of white sugar a year and the existing inventory, we insist that the country has more than enough supply for local consumption.''

The Internal Trade Department pledged to accelerate inspections of the owners of 6.1 million sacks of sugar in the 14 rented warehouses.

Mr Siripol said the problem was clearly with distribution rather than production.

Currently, Thailand consumes about two million tonnes a year of sugar, with direct consumption making up about 28-32% of the total and the beverage and canned fruit industry consuming 68-72%.

Officials of the Internal Trade Department met yesterday with executives of three major millers and 10 retail operators to ask for their co-operation in allocating sugar to the market to ease the tight supply.

The Commerce Ministry agreed to release 115,000 sacks of white sugar from the 2005-06 output for local consumption, or under quota A, nationwide at 14.25-16 baht per kg.In Bangkok, sugar would be released through retail stores and supermarkets and fresh markets, while in the provinces sugar would be available at distribution points to be set up by the ministry's provincial units in each province.

In Thailand, the sugar business operates under a quota system, with white-only quota A for local consumption; raw-only quota B to be exported by the quasi-government Thai Cane and Sugar Corp; and white-and-raw quota C to be exported by mills through traders.

Mr Siripol also said yesterday that he would take prompt legal action against those hoarding the product.

Violators of the Prices on Goods and Services Act would be subject to seven years of imprisonment and/or fines of up to 140,000 baht.

Tat Wanakornkul, executive vice-president for marketing and business development at Mitr Phol Sugar Corp, said the company started distributing sugar to various department stores yesterday.

Normally, the company distributes about 15,000 kg of white sugar to department stores per month.

It failed to meet this figure in December given a short supply in quota A product, which is slated for local consumption.

Source: Bangkok Post - Saturday January 07, 2006

[sierra01]

If they bothered to go out and actually look in the shops they would be hard pressed to find any white sugar, at least where I live anyway. The Govt is still out of touch with reality.

[Jai Dee]

MARKET SWEETENER: Sugar stocks to be released

20m kilos to combat short supply, high prices. Starting next week, 20 million kilograms of sugar will come on the market to alleviate the current shortage and unusually high prices. The decision was made yesterday after a meeting among the Commerce Ministry’s Internal Trade Department, three sugar mills - Mitr Phol, Wang Kanai and Thai Rung Ruang - and 10 retailers who have nationwide distribution networks, including as Tesco Lotus and Big C.

Internal Trade Department director-general Siriphol Yodmuangcharoen said the move was being made to alleviate price problems following complaints from consumers around the country.

“We also want to make it clear that the ministry has no policy to raise the base sugar price now,” he told reporters.

In calling for the meeting with sugar mills, Siriphol said that the ministry wanted them to release their sugar stocks to the market after many complaints from consumers in Bangkok and the provinces.

Initially, he said, the ministry would make available 115,000 bags of sugar (weighing 100 kilos each), which will be sold at from Bt14.25 to Bt16 per kilo depending on location. The sugar distribution will be overseen by provincial commerce officers and provincial internal trade offices.

According to reports from sugar traders and manufacturers who hold more than 10,000 kilograms (100 sacks) of sugar, the ministry has identified 9.4 million sacks of white sugar. Of these, 6.16 million are in warehouses, 2.94 million sacks are at 44 sugar plants, 88,733 with traders, 5,396 with eight wholesalers and retailers and 198,351 with sugar users in the industry sector.

“This is sufficient for demand,” Siriphol said.

Complaints have circulated for weeks that consumers have to pay over the control-price level of Bt14.25 per kilo. In some provinces, white sugar has been sold at Bt19 per kilo. Consumers complain that dealers have hoarded the sugar, expecting to rake in profits once the government lifts the control price.

Khon Kaen Sugar Industry Plc, the only listed sugar mill, also benefited from the anticipation. Its share price gained Bt1.80, or 22.5 per cent, during the past three trading days to end this week at Bt9.80.

Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra said on Thursday the government might consider floating the sugar price to solve the hoarding problem.

Despite his assurance of no shortages, people in several provinces have continued to complain about the scarcity and high prices of sugar.

Yeekeng Wongsamphan, chief of the Trang Cake-Makers Association, said that 83 bakery shops in the southern provinces might soon consider temporarily stopping production following the sharp increase in sugar prices.

“Sugar distributors now quote a price for a 50-kilo bag at Bt750, up from Bt680-Bt700,” he said. He added that some bakery shops have urged an increase in cake prices from Bt55 to Bt60 per piece.

“We agree to put on hold the increase in cake price, but we cannot avoid this if other raw materials like eggs, wheat flour and butter also cost more,” he said.

Retail prices of sugar in Sing Buri vary from Bt16 to Bt18 per kilo. Some shops in remote districts quote a price above Bt20. This is despite the province’s control price of Bt16 per kilo.

“Specially for this month, consumers in the province can buy quality sugar at Bt14 per kilo every Tuesday and Thursday at the Internal Trade office,” said Somhiran Khongkamnerd, chief of the office.

Police in Mukdahan have also observed the illegal export of sugar near the Thai-Lao border, and have confiscated 500 kilos. Sugar prices are cheaper in Thailand than in neighbouring countries.

Source: The Nation - January 07, 2006

[Ricardo]

Hub of sugar-smuggling Sweet !

[sierra01]

The Govt's price controls on sugar are working well then, since when do retailers adhere to price controls?

IF the amount of sugar mentioned actually hits the market we'll all have to feel sorry for those that ARE hoarding the stuff, because they won't make the big profits they had hoped. In fact they'll lose money through decreased sales becuae of their hoarding.

[Johpa]

Thailand does not understand free-market economics. They want to limit the supply in the country and set the price so they can sell it dirt cheap in the country and then sell it for a higher price in the poor neighboring countries. Thailand is being very selfish and shewd. They need to slapped with some economic sanctions for not adhering to the free-market rules of engagement.

<Please picture Thomas Friedman wearing a short skirt and shaking his pom poms>

Oh brave new world, pray tell where we can find this free market? Is it the free market of Blair, Clinton, and Bush; all available for purchase for the highest bidder with the help of consulting firms like LLM in the UK which can open those hallowed doors of influence? But wait, Thailand has sort of bypassed that primitive stage of the new world order of the free markets (well actually not free has you have to pay to play) as the head honcho, bypassing lobbying and consulting firms, has ensconced himself into the prime minister position. I mean even Dick Cheney only made it into the vice-president position.

And if my memory serves me correctly, Thailand did get an intensive lesson in the free markets about a decade ago when the baat was significantly devalued.

But for all you new world order ex-pats out there celebrating free markets, more Panglossian hope awaits with the threats of economic sanctions, the mandatory first step towards military invasion to finally free the expat community of Thai laws and customs. No more visa runs, the ability to own land and purchase businesses without restraints. Why you will finally be able to control your pseudo-Thai destiny once the chaos runs it course!

[britainmal]

Julpa Thank you for your reply. I respect your opinion but you are wrong. What you are referring to is political nonsense. This has nothing to do with free Market economics. You sound more like a Politian than an Economist. The US and UK have a much more open ecomomy than Thailand that is why so many want to go there. You can stay in Thailand with the feeling that the West is no good. It is your choice, but say senseable agruments next time.

[Jai Dee]

SUGARCANE PRODUCERS HOPE TO FIND SOLUTIONS AFTER MEETING INDUSTRY MINISTER

Sugarcane producers have expressed hope that the government will be able to find a solution to the current sugar price crisis, after meeting with Industry Minister Suriya Juengroongruengkit (สุริยะ จึงรุ่งเรืองกิจ) on Wednesday, adding that they expect some answers on price adjustments.

President of the Association of sugar cane producers in Nam Pong (น้ำพอง), Khon Kaen (ขอนแก่น), Mr. Chaiwat Kamkaenkoon (ชัยวัฒน์ คำแก่นคูณ) said that the sugar cane producers have been contacted to join owners of sugar processing factories to meet the Industry Minister on January 11, who will listen to their concerns and find a way out for sugar industry. He said that sugar prices have risen to 17-20 baht per kilogram, without farmers gaining any benefits. He said that if the government has a good solution to the problems, the sugar cane producers may not move to pressure the government although they had earlier set a deadline of 7 days for the government to respond to their demands.

Executive of Sugar producers in Khon Kaen, Mr. Pornsin Tamsirichai (พรศิลป์ แต้มศิริชัย),said that the solution to the problem should be allowing sugar prices to fluctuate in accordance to market mechanisms. He said the government must manage the price adjustment, but said that continued control of the prices will not solve the problem. He added that in the past, the sugar cane producers have more than 15 billion baht of debts. He said if the prices are not increased, there will be more problems, as their incomes will not be increased while the cost of living and the cost of production have risen.

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 09 January 2006

SURATTANI COMMERCIAL OFFICER INSISTED THAT THE PROVICE HAS NO SUGAR SHORTAGE PROBLEM.

Surat Thani (สุราษฎร์ธานี) Commercial Office insisted that there are no shortages of sugar in the province, but admitted that the price has increased to 19 baht per kilogram.

Commercial officer Sompong Orn-prasert (สมพงศ์ อ่อนประเสริฐ) revealed that sugar supplies in the market have reduced, but there is no shortage problem yet. He said that the price of sugar has increased from 15 baht per kilogram to 18-19 baht per kilogram. He said that if consumers believe that a store sells their products at an exaggerated price, they can report to the Office, and the Office will inspect their cost of production immediately.

Mr. Sompong added that the Commerce Ministry’s regulation requires that the owners of more than ten tons of sugar must report their amount of sugar and their warehouse to the ministry. He said the Office in Surat Thani will report the figures next week.

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 09 January 2006

[Jai Dee]

MR. VARATHEP WARNS AGAINST HOARDING SUGAR SUPPLIES AND SELLING THEM TO NEIGHBORING COUNTRIES

Deputy Finance Minister VARATHEP RATTANAKORN (วราเทพ รัตนากร) has instructed the Customs Department and its officials to closely monitor people traveling to neighboring countries especially those suspected of smuggling Thailand’s sugar supplies to neighboring countries.

Mr Varathep said that currently he has not received any reports of sugar being illegally transported or transferred to neighboring countries. He said sugar is a commodity controlled by the state government and warned against people smuggling sugar and selling them to other countries.

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 10 January 2006

[Jai Dee]

SUGAR CANE AND SUGAR INDUSTRIES MUST BE LIBERALIZED, SAID PERMANENT SECRETARY OF INDUSTRY MINISTRY.

The committee set up to restructure the sugar cane and sugar industries prepare to propose liberalizing the sectors.

Permanent Secretary of the Industry Ministry Jakkamont Pasukwanit (จักรมณฑ์ ผาสุกวนิช), as president of the committee restructuring the sugar cane and sugar industries, said after a meeting that the structure of the industries need to be revamped, as it has been used for 25 years. He said that the restructuring will be done to make benefit-sharing system to be more flexible. He said that the import tax for sugar which is set at 94% should be gradually reduced. As for distribution quota and price control, he said that they should be adjusted to reflect the real cost of production.

The meeting also expects that the sugar cane and sugar industries in the next 14 years will be more free, in accordance with the WTO framework, adding that Thailand needs to change and follow global trends.

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 10 January 2006

[sierra01]

Yesterday Big C, Chaeng Wattana road had some white sugar, first time for a week or so. I don't use much, only for our evening cup of tea, so I only bought 1 bag, along with the cubes I got the other day that lot will last us a good couple of months.

It seems that some sugar is getting through now, but I don't know what it's like in other areas.

[Jai Dee]

SMUGGLERS OF SUGAR HAVE BEEN ARRESTED.

Department of Custom prepares to arrest those smuggling sugar out of the country.

Director-general of the Custom Department Satit Limpongpan (สถิตย์ ลิ่มพงศ์พันธุ์) said that close monitoring of transport of agricultural products to overseas have resulted in arrests of people attempting to smuggle sugar. He said that these people hid sugar in sacks along with other agricultural products. The arrests occurred at Aranyapratet (อรัญประเทศ), Chiang Kong (เชียงของ), Nong Khai (หนองคาย), Pibunmangsaharn (พิบูลมังสาหาร), Nakornpanom (นครพนม), and Mukdaharn (มุกดาหาร) checkpoints. The amount of sugar is more than 28,000 kilograms, worth more than 400,000 baht.

Meanwhile, the Commerce Ministry has cooperated with the Department of Internal Trade in inspecting steps in selling sugar to small sellers, after it is found that small sellers hoard sugar for speculation, causing shortages in market. It is expected that the situation will return to normal within 3 days.

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 11 January 2006

[Jai Dee]

CHEAP SUGAR FOR SALE TO THE PUBLIC IN ORDER TO ALLEVIATE THE TROUBLE OF SUGAR SHORTAGE.

Internal Trade Offices in many provinces have brought out cheaply-priced sugar to sell to the public in order to alleviate the trouble of sugar shortage.

The Internal Trade Office in Phuket has brought out sugar to sell at 14.5 baht per kilogram, whereas the market price in the province has peaked to 20 baht per kilogram. However, individuals were limited to purchasing only 2 kilograms of sugar each from the office. In the city area, prices of sweets have already been raised by sellers.

In Ranong, the market price of sugar instantly dropped by 1 baht to 16 baht after the Internal Trade Office in the province brought out sugar for sale.

Internal Trade Department director-general Siripol Yodmuangjaroen (ศิริพล ยอดเมืองเจริญ) yesterday said that the Ministry of Commerce has invited operators of 46 sugar factories for discussion on releasing the remaining 14,000 sacks of sugar that have yet to be distributed from various plants. He also said that officials are checking all 46 factories and 25 other warehouses for any stockpiling of sugar.

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 11 January 2006

[Jai Dee]

MINISTRY OF INDUSTRY HAS ESTABLISHED COMMITTEE TO TAKE CHARGE OF SUGAR PROBLEM

The Ministry of Industry has established a committee to take charge of solving the problem of sugar cane and sugar, and the best methods will be presented to the cabinet next month.

Sugar cane farmers have called for conclusions to be made in the system-wide effort to solve the sugar problem, and have called for sugar to be de-listed from the Commerce Ministry's list of regulated items.

Deputy Prime Minister and Industry Minister Suriya Jungrungruangkit (สุริยะ จึงรุ่งเรืองกิจ) said the proposal to remove sugar from the list of regulated items would not be the best solution, and he has assigned the permanent secretary of the Ministry of Industry to take the suggestions of the sugar cane farmers and ponder over them with regards to effects on consumers and businesses.

Permanent Secretary of Industry Chakkramon Phasukkhawanit (จักรมณฑ์ ผาสุกวนิช) yesterday met with representatives of sugar cane farmers as well as academics from various institutes to discuss solutions to the problem. The meeting yielded 4 proposals that will be forwarded to Industry Minister Suriya, for use in long-term solving of the sugar issue.

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 17 January 2006

[sierra01]

It's still hit and miss in Carrefoure, Chaeng Wattana road, sometimes they have sugar, sometimes not. To their credit though, when they do it's 14.5bt.

[Jai Dee]

DPM SURIYA IS CONSIDERING INFORMATION OF RESTRUCTURING SUGAR INDUSTRIES' FORMATION, SOLVING SUGAR SHORTAGE

Deputy Prime Minister and Industry Minister SURIYA JUNGRUNGREANGKIT (สุริยะ จึงรุ่งเรืองกิจ) said that he and his officials are studying the information of restructuring sugar industries’ formation, in an attempt to solve sugar shortage and its high price.

Regarding to the shortage of this commodity product, he has assigned Permanent Secretary to the Industry Ministry JAKKRAMON PHASUKWANICH (จักรมณฑ์ ผาสุกวนิช) to consider the details of restructuring sugar industries, including sharing benefits between merchants and sugar farmers and tax of imported sugar. The Permanent Secretary will also discuss the matter with academics and economists, to exchange ideas and gather solutions.

He projected that the result of the discussion will be announced today, and he will bring the issue to the Cabinet meeting for consideration.

Source: ThaiSNews.com ประจำวันศุกร์ที่ 20 มกราคม 2549

[Dah fahrang]

God I am glad. I hope I can get something to eat without having a ton of sugar dumped on it!

Me too!

I'm going to start asking for discount on my 'ba mee heng' and my 'som tam' from now on.

No wonder my regular som tam hawker gave me a huge toothless grin (sugar rotted teeth) when I said "m'ai sai nam tan" again this lunchtime.