A Bangkok Senator opposes NGV/LGV price increase

BANGKOK, 15 June 2010 (NNT) – Bangkok Senator Rossana Tositrakoon, as the president of the committee on corruption investigation and good governance promotion, calls on the Prime Minister to give up the NGV/LPG price increase plan.

Ms Rossana stated that she had submitted a letter to the Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva, demanding the government to discard its plan of NGV/LPG price raise including the use of oil fund in compensating for NGV/LPG gas imported.

Ms Rossana clarified that LPG production in the Gulf of Thailand was insufficient for the use in the country due to the huge consumption among petrochemical business sector, while the use in households had been reduced. In addition petrochemical businesses have the privilege to buy gas at global price. As such, the business sector must shoulder imported gas expenses solely, not the general public.

Thereby, the senator said the use of Oil Fund for the compensation of LPG import expenses was deemed misappropriated. The government has to control LPG price sold to household consumers and not let the price float in line with the global market.

On 28 June there will be a meeting of the Energy Policy and Planning Board chaired by the Prime Minister, Ms Rossana will present this issue and relevant information at the meeting for the government’s operation thereafter.