Discounts on 72 consumer goods to ease Covid-19 impact
Thailand’s commerce minister yesterday announced the reduction in price for 72 consumer goods by 5-58% to help people affected by the Covid-19 crisis. The new discounts, which went into effect yesterday, will run until June 30.
The products include rice, palm oil, instant noodles, milk, frozen foods, condiments, toilet paper, talcum powder, toothpaste, toothbrushes, sanitary napkins, soap, shampoo, face cleansers, detergent and dishwashing liquid among dozens of others.
An official of the Department of Internal Trade says the drop in petrol price has not contributed to the discounts, because logistics costs have only dropped by between 1-3%. But Thailand’s largest capacity oil refiner Thai Oil recently reported oil prices have declined for 5 consecutive weeks to around US$20 per barrel, the lowest level in 18 years, because of the outbreak.
“It is our intention to alleviate people’s hardship during this period and help the public. The price of petrol is not related to this initiative.”
Reuters reported on Tuesday that Thailand’s economy is expected to lose at least 1.3 trillion baht, almost all of it in the tourist sector, due to the impact of the virus and the long and drawn out recovery ahead.
SOURCES: The Nation | Bangkok Post | Reuters
