Newspapers helping staff beat cost of living

A survey by business daily Krungthep Turakij showed that Thai Rath offered between Bt1,800 and Bt3,000 in special monthly allowances.

For the first time in a decade, Daily News raised transportation stipends Bt200 for a total of Bt2,200 for news staff who have been treated with free car services.

The Manager Group raised salaries for all staff 10 per cent and hiked travel subsidies for news crews 20 per cent.

The Post Publishing Group has changed its travel allowance from a fixed Bt6,000 a month to a rate based on the assumed consumption of 207 litres multiplied by the premium petrol price. At today's rate, that would be Bt7,946.

Matichon is considering offering similar assistance.

The moves come amid a spike in retail oil prices.

As of today, PTT is selling diesel for Bt35.74 a litre, 80-satang cheaper than at other retailers.

Due to steaming oil prices, the Consumer Price Index last month hit a 23-month peak of 6.2 per cent.

Chairat Sanguansue, acting director-general of the Land Transport Department, said that next Tuesday, the Land Transport Central Committee would likely approve a Bt1.50 hike in public bus fares, to take effect five days later.

That would take the Bangkok Mass Transit Authority's cream-red bus fare to Bt8.50 and the private cream-blue bus fare to Bt10.

Fares for air-conditioned buses will rise Bt1 per segment, raising the range to between Bt15 and Bt27. Private Bus Operators' Association president Chatchai Chaiwiset said interprovincial bus companies wanted 6 satang more per kilometre.