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Published on October 31, 2007

Chairman Thirapot Vajrabhaya believes the price difference will encourage its greater consumption.

The fuel is known as B5, and is a 5-per-cent ethanol mix. The government has said all service stations must offer the 2-per-cent fuel, or B2, from April next year.

Thirapot encouraged the government to promote the consumption of alternative fuels, particularly gasohol. It can do this effectively by scrapping 95-octane petrol, he added.

He suggested the ethanol content of gasohol petrol should be increased to 20 per cent from a current 10 per cent.

Retail law 'fair'

In spite of opposition to the Retail Business Act by some members of the National Legislative Assembly, the Commerce Ministry insisted yesterday the legislation was fair to both small and large retailers.

A ministry source said disagreement in the assembly was the result of large retailers attempting to delay the law.

To help smooth the passage of the bill, it will hold a seminar this Sunday at the University of the Thai Chamber of Commerce.

The assembly will debate the bill today after being tabled following Cabinet approval earlier this month.

Rice in demand

The Commerce Ministry received 44 bids for its sale of stockpiled white rice and expected offers to be high as a result of international demand.

Foreign Trade Department deputy director-general Vichak Visetnoi said 624,366 tonnes of white rice were available.

High demand is a result of world shortages and a delayed harvest.

Five-per-cent white rice harvested last year has attracted bids between Bt8,500 and Bt9,400 a tonne. The market price is Bt9,300 a tonne.

The same grade harvested this season has attracted bids between Bt6,500 and Bt9,720. The market is at Bt10,700 to Bt10,800 a tonne.

 The Nation