Adisak Noochan makes a living selling fried chicken. To earn extra
income,
he sells the used oil to a recycling merchant.
Pratchaya Kerdthong
Fans of fried chicken sold from roadside stalls may
soon find prices of the tasty meal going up after the government relaxed
price caps on palm oil used by many to fry up their birds.
Last year’s devastating floods have caused shortages
of domestic palm oil. In response, The Commerce Ministry earlier this
month approved a 9 baht increase, making palm oil now 47 baht per liter.
Adisak Noochan, a vendor on Soi Nernplab 6 in Central
Pattaya, said retail prices at major super markets and department stores
are even higher than the government price. He now is paying 52 baht per
liter. Even recycled oil has gone up from 20 baht a liter to 27 baht.
While it may not be as healthy or tasty, the recycled
oil has helped keep Adisak in business and the price of his product the
same. Others, he said, may not be so lucky.
The government doesn’t expect the supply shortage to
ease until at least March, despite moving this month to import 30,000
metric tons of palm oil. So either the price of fried chicken will go
up, or there will be fewer fryers on the market.
Nonetheless, if a fried chicken lover feels like he’s
being gouged to gorge, he can file a complaint by calling 1569. Price
gouging is punishable by as much as 140,000 baht in fines and seven
years in prison.
