BANGKOK, 2 September 2011 – Energy Minister Pichai Naripthaphan has tasked the Energy Policy and Planning Office (EPPO) with studying the whole structure of the country’s energy prices to make sure that restructuring will be recognized by the general public.
The minister told the press that he has assigned the EPPO to study the energy price system and adjust the long-term power development plan (PDP) for 2010 – 2030. He said all types of energy will be considered to ensure public acceptance.
As for the adjustment of energy structure in the future, Mr Pichai elaborated that energy prices must be adjusted up to reflect the real costs of the global market before the ASEAN Economic Community will be officially formed in 2015.
The minister expected that the price adjustment will be made gradually next year after the government has boosted income for people via the salary increase for fresh graduates to 15,000 baht and the daily minimum wage hike to 300 baht as well as the crop mortgaging scheme.
As for the cooking gas, Mr Pichai promised that the government will take care of the household sector and low-income earners by providing them with monthly coupons after energy prices are gradually increased, but the amount of subsidy is now in the study process.
The minister noted that coupons for household cooking gas consumption are not the same thing as the energy credit cards, which will mainly target public transportation drivers.
