Prices of fresh vegetables in Si Sa Ket province have increased sharply since the government’s 300 baht daily minimum wage policy took effect nationwide on Jan 1, the <i>Post Today</i> website reported on Friday.
The price of fresh chilli was up from 40 baht per kilogramme to 90 baht, Chinese kale was up from 30 baht a kilogramme to 60 baht, cucumbers from 15 baht to 30 baht, Chinese cabbage from 40 baht to 60 baht, and ordinary cabbage and from 30 baht to 60 baht a kilogramme.
Bang-on Banchuen, owner of a food shop in Sirichoke real estate in the northeastern province's capital city, said her daily budget for buying vegetables and other food ingredients had doubled since the daily wage was raised.
Mrs Bang-on admitted she would have to increase food prices from the current 35 baht per dish to 40 baht, otherwise she would have to shut down her food shop.