Amidst fuel price surge, Thai government says only drive for “essential journeys”

Amidst the global surge in fuel prices impacting Thailand, a spokesman for PM Prayut Chan-o-cha is giving drivers some advice. The spokesman, Thanakorn Wangbunkhongchana, said yesterday that Prayut wants to keep prices as low as possible to help people avoid economic hardship. He said Prayut wants people to only use their private vehicles for “essential journeys” since the price is rising every day.

Thanakorn said Prayut is following the fuel price situation now that the school year has begun, and people are driving more to send their children to school. Gasohol currently costs 43.5 baht per litre, Benzene 95 costs 50.9 baht per litre. Diesel costs about 32 baht per litre. The actual retail price on diesel is now 40 baht per litre, although the government has been able to keep the price down through a subsidy.

As Thailand’s fuel prices climb, workers are struggling. Some delivery drivers are saying the country’s attempts at subsidies aren’t helping them much. One motorcycle taxi driver told Thai PBS World that, even though the government offers a 250 baht discount per month on benzene or gasohol, it’s not worth it when he has to travel a long distance for it.

The driver added that not many gas stations have joined the scheme. Deputy Director-General of the Department of Energy Business Patteera Saipratumtip said that by May 20, about 1,000 gas stations had joined the “Win Save” discount programme.

SOURCE: Sanook

 

Courtesy ofThaiger News

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