Instant noodles are becoming in short supply as oil prices rise in Thailand. In the North-Eastern province of Ubon Ratchathani basic foodstuff, including canned sardines and instant noodles, are in very short supply, despite attempts of the government of Thailand to stabilize prices of consumer goods in the face of rising Thai fuel prices.

A quick survey market places of Warin Chamrab and Muang districts in Ubon Ratchathani found that canned sardines and instant noodles were as difficult to come by as gold dust.

According to local market vendors, manufacturers of canned sardines and instant noodles are preparing to raise their prices to reflect the current higher fuel costs in Thailand, and have not delivered any of their products since the beginning of the month.

Local residents of Warin Chamrab, particularly those with low incomes, are now stockpiling basic foodstuff, such as dry instant noodles, in anticipation of further price hikes.

Thai people in lower income brackets are also finding it difficult to fill up their vehicles with fuel, as petrol stations are refusing to provide them with quantities of fuel worth less than Bt30 (US$ 0,73).

Typical of local market vendors in Ubon Ratchathani is Khun Radarat Pharakan, a local meat and beef seller at the Warin Chamrab market. Radarat says that her fuel costs have now risen from Bt60 (US$ 1,46) to Bt100 (US$ 2,43) a day, but that she is unable to put up the price of her goods due to competition from other market vendors.

News of the price rises will come as unwelcome news for the government of Thailand, which has warned local food manufacturers of the illegality of raising their prices. The Thai government has stressed that it is continuing to subsidize the price of diesel oil, the main fuel used in the manufacturing process.