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Published on April 5, 2008

Juvenile Observation and Protection Department deputy chief Thawatchai Thaikhiew said yesterday that the rising price of food and cooking gas had deterred suppliers from honouring their contracts.

The department will ask the Justice Ministry to propose that the government gives extra funds to cover the higher costs.

If the contracts are cancelled, the department will keep the deposit money submitted at the time of contract signing and then blacklist the suppliers from applying for any future food concessions, Thawatchai said.

So far, no major juvenile centre has reported any food shortage as they usually stock up on rice for at least 15 days in advance.

However, some smaller centres - detaining five to 10 juveniles - have been affected, he said, as officials have been buying food boxes three times a day under a budget of Bt58 per head for the youths. The high cost of rice has also affected prisons that have to feed 200,000 inmates, an informed source said.

Corrections Department chief Wanchai Roujanavong said he would discuss this matter with senior officials.

Many shops in the southern province of Pattani are refusing to give credit to customers because they need cash to ensure there will also be rice for sale, according to one shop owner who asked not to be named.

He said some shops were also stockpiling rice. They had told customers the rice had run out because they wanted to wait for the right time to sell at a higher price.

THE NATION