05/01/2012 (Bangkok Post) - The Commerce Ministry will add eight more items to its price control list and closely monitor food prices affected by global warming.

Vatchari Vimooktayon, director-general of the Internal Trade Department, said her agency will this month present a proposal to the central committee on the price of goods and services chaired by the commerce minister to consider adding the items.

They are water pumps, ploughing machines, reapers, rice moisture measure instruments, rice quality inspection tools, tapioca flour measure instruments, agricultural service fees such as rice reaping fees and tissue paper.

These items will be important in 2012 as a result of the government's policy to increase farmers' income so they will need to use more agricultural instruments.

The government will control prices to ensure their suitability.

At the same time, eight other items _ shampoo, dishwashing liquid, soap, laundry detergent, garlic, instant coffee, drinking yoghurt and craft paper _ will be removed from the list, as they are not subject to shortages or price fluctuations.

Mrs Vatchari said the items that may see price rises this year included foods such as powdered milk, wheat flour, palm oil, instant noodles and foods containing imported ingredients.

Food prices will likely be affected by global warming in the form of higher animal feed prices.

She said that the global economy slowed down in 2011, reducing purchasing power, so her department will closely monitor manufacturing costs and oil prices to ensure fair prices.

Somkiat Makcayathorn, president of the Thai Rice Packers Association, said the price of packed rice will depend on the government's rice mortgage scheme this year.

The price has risen by 3 to 5 baht per 5-kilogramme pack, but if the domestic paddy price reaches the government's target, then the price should rise by 10-20 baht a pack.

The trend indicates that paddy price will gradually increase.

Mr Somkiat blamed difficulties in the rice mortgage process as the reason paddy did not rise sharply.