LPG import expected

PTT chief executive officer and president Prasert Bunsumpun said yesterday that at Bt18.13 per kilogram, LPG in Thailand was lower than the market price of Bt30 and five to six times cheaper than petrol, so more vehicle owners would switch to using the gas - and its smuggling into neighbouring countries, where it is more expensive, would continue.

"I don't think the government will adopt a sharp rise in the LPG price in July, and it's impossible the government could raise the price to the global level," he said.

Energy Minister Poonpirom Liptapanlop has insisted there will be two tiers of LPG prices in July - one for household use and one for industry and transportation. However, she has not said the rate for non-household use will match global prices.

Prasert said subsidies benefited no one, as the government shoulders the difference in the domestic and global prices, which is US$600 (Bt20,000) per tonne.