LPG price may be floated

The Energy Ministry will propose to the National Energy Policy Committee that the price of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) be floated as the LPG price in the world market has continued to rise.

Energy Minister Wannarat Charnnukul said the price rose by US$50 dollars to US$419 per tonne in June.  The Energy Ministry had hired a consultancy to work out suitable LPG prices in Thailand, he said.

Mr Wannarat said the ministry feels that  only LPG used for transport and by industry should be floated. The price of household cooking gas should continue to be subsidised. Household expenses had  already  risen substantially in other areas and an increase in the cost of cooking gas  would severely hurt many families.

He was concerned that the rising price of oil could result in higher imports of LPG.