The government will closely monitor the prices of construction materials,which are expected to rise due to increasing demand from accelerated statebacked infrastructure and investment programmes.
The stagnant construction industry is expected to receive a much needed shot in the arm in the final quarter from the government's second round of economic stimulus measures.
The 1.45-trillion-baht package, named "Thailand: Investing from Strength to Strength", would drive demand in the last three months of the year, said Commerce Minister Porntiva Nakasai.
Increased demand would cause the price of raw materials to also rise.
Domestic prices of building materials have started to pick up over the last two months,but the increase is yet to pass the ceiling recommended by the Internal Trade Department, according to the ministry's Porntiva: Aiming to latest survey.avoid price hikes.Mixed cement prices as of yesterday had increased to 140 to 145 baht for a 50-kilogramme pack compared with 135 to 142 baht in August. But prices of Portland cement dropped by 5 baht to 145 to 155 baht per pack in the same period.
Nine-millimetre steel bar rose by 2 baht to 109 baht per bar since August,while 100 metres of domestic electric wire increased by 22 baht to 621 baht due to surging global copper prices.
The ITD-recommended cap for mixed cement is 150 baht per 50kg pack, with the prices of Portland cement set at 160 baht, and 9mm steel bar at 136.75 baht.
Construction materials is one of 202 products on the ITD's priority watch list. Officials check the prices of those items twice a week to prevent unwarranted price increases.
Mrs Porntiva said the ministry was due to meet construction material manufacturers and distributors next week to discuss price trends and ask them to maintain the prices until the year-end.
Prices may have to be revised up if raw material costs have increased, she said.
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