Double terminal fees rumpus

Business operators in the electrical and electronics industries have asked the government to negotiate with Thai Airways International and Bangkok Flight Services not to double their fees for terminal services.

After a meeting at the Industry Ministry, Charuek Hengrasmee, president of the Electrical and Electronics Institute, said the operators had asked Deputy Industry Minister Piyabutr Cholvijarn to consult with the Transport Ministry to solve the problem.

Thai Airways announced that it would increase the rate for terminal services from Bt100 per shipment to Bt200. Meanwhile, Bangkok Flight Services will hike fees from Bt250 per shipment to Bt500.

Nonetheless, Thai Airways has suspended the new rate for a while in the wake of customer complaints, Charuek said.

Because competition in the global market is very tough, exporters have to manage their costs, including logistics, to the lowest level possible to compete with their rivals.

"Raising fees without a clear explanation from the companies will definitely have a negative effect on our confidence and competitiveness," Charuek said.

He added that the public sector should shoulder some of the added cost if the two companies finally insisted on hiking their fees.

Piyabutr said he had told the institute to study terminal fees in other countries before negotiating with the Transport Ministry.

"We need to know why they are raising their fees," he said. "If it is in order to improve their service or because their rates are much cheaper than in other countries, all very well. However, they need to proceed reasonably."

Charuek said the total value of electrical and electronics exports was Bt1.5 trillion last year.

This is expected to grow by 8 to 10 per cent this year thanks to rising demand in the global market, especially the US, Europe, Japan and China.

Chalida Ekvitthayavechnukul

The Nation