The Land Transport Federation of Thailand held a rally to demand the ousting of Energy Minister Supattanapong Punmeechaow and cap diesel prices at 25 baht per litre.
The federation had many trucks parked at the Ministry of Energy on Vibhavadi Rangsit Road during their “Truck power last season” rally.
Its chairman Apichart Prairungruang said truckers held such rallies twice in October and November last year because an unfair oil price structure and government mismanagement had driven up oil prices. . Then they had two rounds of negotiations with the Ministry of Energy and were asked to suspend their protest for 15 to 30 days. However, their problems have not been resolved.
Truckers are now calling on the government to reduce the excise tax on petrol to 0.10 baht per liter and to exclude biodiesel content from diesel for one year. They also want the government to stop basing local oil prices on Singapore refined oil prices and to change the energy minister.
They give the government seven days to respond to the request; if not, they will organize the next demonstration in the streets. (TNA)
