Talks to decide which groups get cheap diesel

A source at the Energy Ministry said the truck federation, the Northeast truck association, a group of taxi drivers with 3,000cc engines, and shrimp farmers have submitted requests for the cheap diesel supplied by the four refineries under the PTT Group.

The source added that the Energy Ministry and the Agriculture and Cooperatives Ministry are considering whether these groups have really been affected by the oil-price increase.

"We have to consider carefully whether our assistance to any of these groups will pass benefits on to consumers, as in the case of public and private bus operators who have delayed fare hikes after receiving our oil allocation," the source added.

The PTT refineries have provided 122 million litres per month for six months.

Pattani province agreed yesterday to subsidise diesel by Bt2 per litre for fishing boats. Governor Panu Utairat said that the province's main revenue comes from the fishing industry but many operators have halted business due to higher oil prices and this in turn has affected many fish factories.

In a related matter, Energy Minister Poonpirom Liptanpanlop said that next month the ministry would adjust the liquefied petroleum gas price as planned, due to the rapid growth in transportation and industrial demand for LPG which enjoys government subsidies.