Producers of bagged rice and bottled mineral water have said they will maintain current prices until the end of April, with any future price changes dependent on developments in the Middle East.

The Federation of Thai Industries (FTI) has called on the government to intervene in support of oil middlemen, known locally as “jobbers”, who are struggling to secure supplies from refineries, resulting in a shortage affecting industrial and agricultural sectors, as well as smaller filling stations not affiliated with major retail brands.

The Constitutional Court has accepted a petition to rule on whether the use of barcodes and Quick Response (QR) codes on ballot papers in Thailand’s Feb 8 general election violated the constitution.

The cabinet has instructed the Tourism and Sports Ministry to accelerate efforts to tackle the use of nominees in tourism businesses, including so-called “zero-dollar tours”, as they affect the country’s tourism industry.

The Office of the Cane and Sugar Board (OCSB) expects purchases of sugar cane leaves to more than double this year as Thailand reduces its reliance on liquefied natural gas imports, shipments of which have been disrupted by war in the Middle East.

House Speaker Sophon Zaram expressed confidence that Thursday’s parliamentary vote to select a new prime minister will proceed smoothly, in line with regulations and fairness.