FRIDAY, March 29, 2024
nationthailand

Larger deficit allowed to keep cooking gas affordable

Larger deficit allowed to keep cooking gas affordable

The Fuel Fund Management Committee decided on Monday (May 18) to boost the deficit level for managing liquified petroleum gas (LPG) or cooking gas to no more than minus Bt10 billion from a maximum deficit of Bt7 billion previously, Energy Minister Sontirat Sontijirawong said.

This move will add liquidity to the LPG sector, especially since the price per 15-kilogram cylinder was cut to Bt318 from Bt363 in March to ease the burden on people amid Covid-19 outbreak. This policy expires on June 23, he said, adding that the committee will consider in its next meeting if it wants to extend this policy.
Funds will be transferred to the LPG account from that of finished oil to manage the price of cooking gas, and will be transferred back once the LPG account is built up.
As of May 17, the Oil Fund had net cash of Bt35.176 billion, while the LPG account stood at minus Bt6.182 billion.

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