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Truckers Convoy in Thailand to Demand Lower Diesel Prices
Truckers, in association with the Land Transport Federation of Thailand (LTFT), showed their muscle today (Tuesday) in an attempt to put pressure on the government to cap the pump price of diesel at 25 baht per litre.
In addition to truckers, numerous taxi drivers are also calling on the government to lower the price of NGV and extend the serviceable period of their vehicles from 9 to 12 years.
Protesting truckers converged in the morning in Nakhon Pathom province, on the Bang Na-Trat highway and at the Bang Pa-in checkpoint, before marching to the energy ministry.
A parallel road in front of the ministry was closed by the metropolitan police in order to prevent trucks from approaching the ministry. Law enforcement personnel have been deployed to maintain order.
According to LTFT president Apichart Prairungruang, the truckers want the government to cut excise taxes on diesel instead of giving them 3,000 baht subsidies per month. He noted that such compensation is not sustainable.
Truckers are tired of being ignored
Having had their grievances and demands ignored for so long by the government, he said that the protest today was intended to demand the sacking of Energy Minister Supattanapong Punmeechaow.
As a result of rising oil prices, he warned the minister that if he does not provide a response, the truckers would return in the near future, they will not be accompanied just by truckers and taxi drivers. The federation has also warned that if no response is received from the government within a week, transport fees will be increased by 15-20%.
His claim was that the federation had already suggested ways to ease the costs of truck operators to the energy ministry, but to no avail.
Meanwhile, Land Transport Director-General Chirut Wisalchit said taxi drivers want the ministry to consider cutting the retail price of natural gas for vehicles (NGV), extending the service period of taxis from 9 to 12 years, and allowing them to place advertisements on their vehicles in order to earn more income.