Thailand’s Ministry of Commerce has called on businesses nationwide to keep prices of consumer goods unchanged until March seventeen, as authorities review whether to extend a temporary diesel price support programme introduced to shield households and companies from rising global energy costs.

Officials said the request aims to stabilise living costs during a period of volatile oil markets, with the Energy Ministry’s fifteen-day diesel price cap set to expire on the same date.

The government has frozen diesel prices at about twenty nine point nine four baht per litre to cushion the impact of surging crude oil prices linked to international tensions affecting energy markets.

The Department of Internal Trade has instructed wholesalers and retailers to cooperate with the policy and refrain from raising prices until the government completes its assessment.

Authorities say any decision to allow adjustments will depend on whether the diesel subsidy scheme is extended or replaced with alternative support measures.

Commerce officials emphasised that rising diesel costs should not currently be used as justification for price increases.

Businesses attempting to take advantage of the situation without evidence of genuine cost changes could face investigations and legal action under price control regulations.

To monitor potential inflationary pressures, the Trade Policy and Strategy Office is analysing the cost structures of fifty nine controlled goods, including staple foods and household necessities such as instant noodles, canned fish, rice, eggs, palm oil and animal feed.

The agency has also modelled how different global oil price levels could affect domestic costs.

According to the analysis, higher crude prices could trigger price increases through several channels.

Direct impacts include higher retail fuel costs and electricity tariffs.

Indirect effects arise from higher logistics, packaging and production expenses, particularly in processed food sectors that rely heavily on energy inputs.

A third structural effect could involve prolonged pressure on household purchasing power and the financial stability of small and medium-sized enterprises.

Authorities say the experience of the two thousand twenty two Russia–Ukraine conflict demonstrated how energy shocks can quickly feed into inflation.

During that period, average crude oil prices near ninety seven dollars per barrel contributed to Thailand’s inflation rate reaching about six point zero eight percent.

Provincial commerce offices have been instructed to closely monitor prices of controlled goods and agricultural inputs such as chemical fertilisers.

If businesses request price increases, officials say approvals will be granted only when cost structures clearly justify the adjustment.

Private sector representatives say companies are monitoring rising input costs but many are prepared to absorb short-term pressures.

Some manufacturers report that packaging materials, logistics expenses and key ingredients have become more expensive as global energy prices rise.

Industry leaders say they can maintain current retail prices for several months in many cases, though prolonged increases in oil, agricultural commodities or shipping costs could eventually require adjustments.

The Commerce Ministry plans to hold discussions with businesses on March sixteen to explain price control measures and assess cost pressures before making decisions on future policy steps designed to protect consumers and maintain economic stability.