President of the Bus Operators Association of Thailand Suchinda Cherdchai was adamant that bus fares must remain the same for the time being even though the prices of Benzene 91, Benzene 95 and diesel had decreased as a result of the Government’s reduction of the Oil Fund collection. She reasoned that the diesel price, which had been lowered by 2.80 THB to stand at 26.99 THB a liter, was still higher than the rate earlier agreed upon between the association and the Ministry of Transport.

Ms Suchinda criticized the Transport Ministry for ignoring the association’s request for a fare hike when fuel prices were peaking. Nonetheless, in compliance with the Ministry’s policy to bring down bus fares within this year, she said the association was willing to attend a meeting on 2 September to negotiate on the matter.