By Phusadee Arunmas, Bangkok Post, Thailand Jun. 18--The Commerce Ministry yesterday turned down a request by tinplate producers to raise their prices in line with rising raw material costs. Officials asked producers and importers to hold prices steady for another two months.

By Walailak Keeratipipatpong, Bangkok Post, Thailand Jun. 18--SURAT THANI -- Seafood processors have countered the recent shrimp-pledging programme of the Commerce Ministry by setting their own weekly shrimp benchmark prices, which are lower than pledging prices.

By Phusadee Arunmas, Bangkok Post, Thailand May 21--Concern is mounting about a possible steel shortage as demand rises in anticipation of work starting on government megaprojects.

Text of report in English by Thai newspaper Bangkok Post website on 16 January [Report by Yuthana Praiwan, Phusadee Arunmas: "Biodiesel squeezes palm supply"] Palm oil prices have jumped sharply in recent months, leading authorities to consider a ban on exports.

By Bangkok Post, Thailand Dec. 18--The Commerce Ministry has dropped a plan to put white liquor on its price-control list as the prices are already overseen by the Excise Department.