At this week’s Cabinet meeting, a proposal from the Commerce Ministry to add sugar to the list of price controlled goods, was approved, Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin told reporters today after chairing the meeting.

The list of price controlled goods comes under the 1999 Prices of Goods and Services Act. The decision will take effect once it is published in the Royal Gazette, possibly tomorrow, he said.

The Central Committee on the Prices of Goods and Services, chaired by Commerce Minister Phumtham Wechayachai, endorsed the idea yesterday and put it to the Cabinet for approval. The decision is aimed at easing the rising cost of living.

Last week, the Cane and Sugar Board announced that it would allow ex-refinery sugar prices rise by Bt4 per kilo. Following the announcement, sugar disappeared from shelves as vendors want to sell the sugar at the higher prices.