Drivers plan protest against fuel price hikes

The Cabinet has approved the ministry’s proposal to raise the price of liquefied petroleum gas from Bt8.50 per litre to Bt14.50 in monthly steps of 40 satang, and natural gas for vehicles from Bt11.50 per kilogram to Bt16.30 in monthly steps of 50 satang.

Withoon Naewpanich, chairman of the Public Transport Service Cooperative Federation of Thailand, held a meeting at the Rattanakosin Hotel with about 50 representatives of drivers and operators and they agreed that the resolution would greatly hurt them and also the public because they would have to increase fares.

They will ask the energy minister to revoke the decision by December 31 and consider other options not involving gasprice hikes, he said.

If their request isn’t granted, they will carry out various measures to protect their and the public’s interests, Withoon warned.