Importing pork could be a way to alleviate high prices and low supply, Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha said yesterday.
However, the government had to first check if the country's pork supply was adequate before taking such action, he told reporters.
"If there are dead pigs, more can be produced. Please understand that the current outbreak [of swine fever] is in just a few areas, not nationwide, and the number of dead pigs is not even 20%.
"So, why is there a shortage? Something must have happened, and some people could be meddling in the process," Gen Prayut said.
Pork shortages have been blamed for the price soaring from 150 baht per kilogramme to 210-240 baht/kg in just a few weeks, with a contributing factor being the reported spread of African swine fever (ASF).
Gen Prayut said he had instructed the Commerce Ministry, the Agriculture and Cooperatives Ministry and other agencies to look into the rising prices of consumer products.
"Price increases must be reasonable. When production costs, such as fuel, increase by one baht, it is not reasonable to raise the product price by five baht. Don't be selfish at this time," the prime minister said.
Responding to a reporter's question about raising the minimum wage to offset rising product prices, Gen Prayut quickly replied: "Where's the money? You can say anything, but you have to find the money. The government must have the money first."
The skyrocketing pork prices have recently been followed by increases in the cost of other services and goods such as rice, eggs, chicken, vegetables and fruit.
Meanwhile, Thanakorn Wangboonkongchana, government spokesperson, said the prime minister was highly concerned about the rising prices of consumer products and he was ready to raise the matter at the cabinet meeting today.
Mr Thanakorn said the premier had previously instructed the Energy Ministry and the Commerce Ministry to help come up with measures to help reduce the cost of living for Thais amid a spike in the prices of goods and food.
He said the ministry had also set the price of chicken eggs at 2.90 baht each to ease the financial burden on consumers being hit by skyrocketing prices of pork and other products.