Thailand delays LPG price rise again
BANGKOK – Thailand has once again postponed a plan to raise the retail price of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) used in transport and industrial sectors in order to keep the cost of living down, Energy Minister Wannarat Channukul said on Friday.
"The committee has agreed to put off the plan for now," Wannarat told reporters after a meeting of the National Energy Policy Committee, chaired by Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva.
"Any price rise right now will have an impact on people who are facing the economic slowdown," Wannarat said.
The government had planned to gradually raise LPG prices by a total of 6 baht ($0.17) per kg, or 33 percent, in increments of 2 baht per month to bring it more into line with actual costs and reduce state subsidies.
The domestic LPG price is currently fixed at 18.13 baht a kg for all sectors, a low price that has pushed up demand, forcing the country to import it for the first time last year.
The meeting has also delayed a plan to increase the price of compressed natural gas for vehicles (NGVs), which is now at 8.50 baht per kg, Wannarat said.
