PM: Energy Flaws Have Been Around Since 1998

The prime minister admitted that there are flaws in the country's energy structures, but says they were there before his administration took office.

Meanwhile, the coalition and the Opposition will discuss, which day the censure debate will conclude and a vote be taken.

During's censure debate, Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva responded to the issue raised by Puea Pandin MP Waemahadi Wae-dao regarding the state's unfair energy policies, saying that the problems with the national energy structure have existed since 1998.

He added that some of the raw materials for energy production have had to be imported from overseas and that their prices are based on those quoted in the Singaporean market.

Abhisit noted that his administration has attempted to adjust the structure by promoting the use of local energy resources through the launch of a sixth gas separation plant.

He added that meanwhile, construction of a seventh gas plant at Map Ta Phut Industrial Estate is on hold as experts conduct an environmental impact assessment.

The premier then pointed to the government's policies to assist consumers by freezing natural gas prices and promoting the use of natural gas by households and public transport services such as taxi cabs, in order to reduce reliance on petrochemical and industrial gases.

Meanwhile, House Speaker Chai Chidchob said the voting after the censure debate has yet to be scheduled.

The Coalition and the Opposition are expected to reach a conclusion.

-- Tan Network 2011-03-18

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The premier then pointed to the government's policies to assist consumers by freezing natural gas prices and promoting the use of natural gas by households and public transport services such as taxi cabs, in order to reduce reliance on petrochemical and industrial gases.

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Yeah & those policies were in place prior to your administration. So for the mistakes blame someone else. For successes claim them even though it's nothing to do with you.

Get out of price fixing NOW. Let the free market operate.

I agree with powderpuff that in an ideal world price fixing should be ended but the way I see it the poor alway suffer the most and the government policies pander to that now as ever they did under Thaksin. Clearly subsidising LPG and Diesel comes at the detriment of gasoline (petrol) consumers and environmentally responsible use, but I've seen before how bus, pickup and taxi operators always rush to raise prices when Diesel goes above ฿30/litre and it's the working classes who can ill afford it.