Bangkok (VNA) – The Thai Government has tightenedits grip on the movement of eight products on the new price control list tocurb smuggling from neighbouring countries, shore up domestic prices andprevent a spread of crop diseases.

Local media reported on July 18 that theseproducts are garlic in 52 provinces; onions in 52 provinces; paddy and milledrice in 20 provinces; milled rice in state stocks discharged for industrial usein all provinces; corn in seven provinces; palm oil in 31 provinces; maturecoconuts, coconut meat and dried coconut meat in six provinces; and freshcassava and tapioca chips in 12 provinces.

Whichai Phochanakij, director-general ofThailand’s Internal Trade Department, said the movement controls are for avariety of reasons.

For onions and palm oil, the controls are meantto stem a drastic fall after a flood of imports and onion smuggled fromneighbouring countries. For tapioca and tapioca products, the government aimsto tackle the widespread cassava mosaic virus.

The cabinet approved on July 2 the new pricecontrol list with the number of product and service items unchanged, 52,including 46 goods and six services.

The price control list covers essential itemsfor daily use such as food, consumer products, farm-related products,construction materials, paper, petroleum and medicines.

Businesses making or selling the listed productsare required to inform the authorities of their production costs and seek approvalbefore any price increases. Meanwhile, private hospitals and clinics need toinform the Internal Trade Department at least 15 days in advance if they wantto hike their prices, Whichai said. -VNA