Suchinda Cherdchai, chairperson of the Bus Operators Association, told reporters yesterday the organisation had submitted a request that the ministry make the increase effective from August 5.

"Oil prices have been on the rise and diesel could hit Bt30 a litre. We need to raise the fares just as the subway has been allowed to increase fares. We, too, are operating a public service and should be treated equally," she said.

Suchinda yesterday submitted the proposal to Caretaker Deputy Transport Minister Chaiyanan Charoensiri, who told reporters the ministry was not considering the proposal right now.

"I asked Khun Suchinda to return next week with a new proposal, substantiating it with documents showing the actual cost," Chaiyanan said.

Since the price of diesel shot up above Bt25 a litre, bus operators have been demanding - unsuccessfully - a fare hike. Earlier, the Transport and Energy ministries decided to supply them with diesel, pricing it Bt1 cheaper.

But the measure is not working, Suchinda said. "Whenever we try to fill up our tanks at specified gas stations, we are usually told they've run out of diesel or the supply is insufficient," she said.