FRIDAY, March 29, 2024
nationthailand

Briefs

Briefs

Pichai to discuss NGV price hike with transport operators Energy Minister Pichai Naripthaphan will convene a meeting with public-transport operators on January 12 after their protest against an increase in the price of natural gas for vehicles (NGV).

While saying he is ready to listen to their demands, Pichai insisted that the price-flotation scheme was thoroughly considered. He said the actual cost of NGV was Bt8.47 per kilogram, exclusive of operating and transport costs.

The government as of January will allow the NGV price to rise by 50 satang per month, which will in effect increase the price from Bt8.50 per kilo currently to Bt14.50 by the end of next year.

250,000 Wi-Fi spots eyed

The Information and Communications Technology Ministry has targeted providing free public Wi-Fi service in 250,000 spots within five years.

The ministry kicked off the first phase of the service in 10,000 spots nationwide yesterday, in such public areas as city halls, airports and inter-provincial bus stations. The coverage is expected to be expanded to 20,000 spots next month.

LPG price hike planned

The price of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) for the transport and petrochemical sectors will be raised next year to reflect the actual production cost, according to a resolution yesterday by the Energy Policy Administration Committee.

Meanwhile, the committee chaired by Energy Minister Pichai Naripthaphan also approved an increase in motor-fuel prices, based on the costs involved in the quality upgrade to meet the Euro 4 carbon-emission standard.

The Euro 4 standard requires reducing maximum sulphur content from 500 parts per million to 50ppm. It is believed that the new standard will reduce emissions of sulphur by 12,000 tonnes per annum and benzene by 181,000 tonnes. This in turn is expected to help reduce medical costs for respiratory diseases, which have ranged from Bt22.7 billion to Bt56.7 billion each year.

Low bid for gas tanks

Kurijit Nakornthap, deputy permanent secretary of the Ministry of Energy, said S Siriseang Co, a contractor in petrol and other energy-related industries, was the winner of the e-auction to provide 15,000 tanks for natural gas for vehicles and conversion parts.

The company won out over five competitors with a bid of Bt248 million, which was much lower than the expected cost of Bt366 million. The winning bid will be sent for further consideration to permanent secretary Norkun Sitthiphong, who will then send it on to the energy minister for final approval. The signing agreement is expected to take place next month. – The Nation

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