FUEL CRISIS
Low-quality diesel from Russia will be on sale to members of cooperative organisations within 60 days and will be eight baht a litre cheaper than the present pump price.
Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej announced the Russian deal in his weekly television broadcast yesterday.
The Russian fuel will be distributed through farmer, transport and fishery cooperatives, he said.
Mr Samak added that the Energy Ministry has inspected the fuel and found it to be of slightly lower quality than that now sold in Thailand.
''The quality of the Russian fuel is about the same as the diesel used in Thailand five years ago,'' he said.
''But it's the Russian price, as it would be sold locally for eight baht per litre less than the present market price.''
At present, the diesel retail price is 44.24 baht per litre. The amount of imported Russian diesel would be 300,000 tonnes per month, or 25% of the total domestic demand.
Mr Samak said the importer of the Russian fuel is a local oil company.
He did not give the name of the firm, but it is thought to be either Bangchak Petroleum Plc or PTT Plc.
He said there would be 200 outlets nationwide to distribute the cheap diesel oil from Russia. The first lot is expected to arrive in Thailand during the next 60 days, he added.
Mr Samak also said the government planned to promote E-85 biofuel, the 85% ethanol-blended petrol.
Mr Samak said more measures to help the economy would be announced tomorrow.
Prev
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
Next
