BANGKOK, 30 August 2011 – Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra has promised that the government will try to bring living cost down after it has cut oil prices. However, she confirms that the government will still support people to use gasohol.
Speaking about some consumer goods whose prices remain the same despite the reduced oil prices, Ms Yingluck stated that the reduction is only the beginning of efforts to curb consumer prices. She said her deputy Kittirat Na Ranong will seek talks with many entrepreneurs to seek cooperation on the issue.
Asked if the government will order the private sector to comply with its demand or not after some private bus operators still refuse to cut bus fare, the prime minister responded that she preferred to use negotiations while prices of some products must be floated according to the market mechanism.
Regarding the policy to increase the difference between benzene and gasohol prices to support alternative energy, Ms Yingluck responded that the government actually wants to support gasohol in the long term, but so far, the oil price structure had not been allowed to develop according to the market mechanism.
The prime minister explained that three types of oil now have their prices reduced, but the true objective of the government is to reduce living cost for people; therefore, several strategies will be used to adjust product prices in line with the market mechanism.
Ms Yingluck reaffirmed that the government will support people to use gasohol. Asked if the government will cut gasohol prices, she replied that it is possible as Energy Minister Pichai Naripthaphan and Finance Minister Thirachai Phuvanatnaranubala will bring the issue to the cabinet.
