Truckers plan rally over NGV prices

Truck operators will stage a mass rally this week unless the Energy Ministry puts the brakes on plans to increase prices for natural gas for vehicles (NGV) is responded positively.

The Land Transport Association of Thailand, whose members operate some 400,000 trucks across the country, issued its threat Wednesday, saying it wanted the ministry to respond positively to its demand to cap NGV prices at 13 baht per kilogramme.

Speaking after submitting a letter to Energy Minister Narongchai Akrasanee, chairman Krit Suriyapopl warned that If the ministry fails to respond positively to the association's demand, the group will hold a large protest in front of the headquarters of PTT, the state-owned energy conglomerate, this week.

Mr Krit said the group would ask members to stop using NGV and switch to diesel.

As oil prices have fallen, NGV prices should not be increased further, he said. Over the past months, the ministry has already increased gas rates by 2 baht to 13 baht per kilogramme.

Under the government's fuel-price restructuring policy to reflect actual costs, NGV prices will be increased further to 15-16 baht per kilogramme. Mr Krit insisted that increase should be scrapped.

Association members "are considered major customers of PTT-run NGV service stations. The price hike will badly affect their operating costs,'' he said.

The chairman claimed he would not mind if the military wanted to summon him for "attitude adjustment" for defying martial law, as it bars public gatherings of more than five people.