Explain why costs are up, Thai Democrats say: Politics

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POLITICS
Explain why costs are up, Democrats say
The Nation



BANGKOK: -- THE OPPOSITION Democrats have demanded the government postpone increasing the price of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG), electricity and expressway fees - reasoning its decision contradicts the ruling party's election campaign promises to sharply reduce the cost of living.

Democrat Atavit Suwannapakdee said the Yingluck government had run the country for two years and the country's economic indicators have all shown negative results - such as rising public and household debt and price rises.

He said the government had decided to increase the price of three major items yesterday that would further push up the cost of living: LPG has risen from Bt290 per 15 kg cylinder to Bt380; electricity prices have increased seven satang per unit (meaning families who use about 500 units would have to pay Bt40 more each month); and the expressway toll has been increased by Bt5.

"Today is Bad Day or an unlucky day for Thais because it is the day we must significantly shoulder higher costs of living," he said.

Atavit quoted the Thai Chamber of Commerce's Centre for Economic and Business Forecasting that since the Yingluck government took office in 2011, household debt has jumped from Bt159,432 to Bt188,774 in 2013. The Public Debt Management also showed that public debt in the first quarter of 2011, which stood at Bt4.2 trillion, jumped to Bt5.2 trillion in the second quarter of 2013, increasing by Bt1 trillion.

"These figures do not include the Bt2 trillion in debt that the government wants to push for the development of infrastructure," he said.

Democrat Bangkok MP Sansern Samalapa said the Bank of Thailand pointed out that the country's economic indicators for every sector all show negative results, except the tourism sector.

"The downtrend will continue into August because of the negative momentum. We urge the government not to manage the economy by lip service or by giving lame excuses..." he said.

Pheu Thai spokesman Prompong Nopparit said the party would assign MPs on Monday to explain to the |public about the price increases of LPG, electricity and expressway tolls.


-- The Nation 2013-09-02

[Siripon]

No no no, our beautiful Prime Minister with the very expensive jewellery, assured us all last year that we only imagined any price rises, the government is dedicated to putting the welfare of the people first.

[laurentbkk]

Well Express way already increased by 5 bath ..... funny to pay 50 bath to be stuck on it ..

[clockman]

No no no, our beautiful Prime Minister with the very expensive jewellery, assured us all last year that we only imagined any price rises, the government is dedicated to putting the welfare of the people first.

Yes i remember that statement, but to millionaires its does mean anything!

[PhilipCook]

Keeping the prices of lpg and diesel lower than the market rates forces others to pay for it, namely buyers of gasoline. Imagine buyers of milk having to pay higher costs because water is 'subsidized' by government policy. In such a case farmers with milk producing cows would demonstrate but what happens now with the fuel policy is a bit nuts. The oil companies won't protest, the buyers of gasoline don't really understand so they don't protest. And then you have the Democrats fighting to keep a subsidy in place for what? Let supply and demand determine pricing and stop allowing your government to help you with fuel prices because it doesn't actually help you at all.

[Deez]

Keeping the prices of lpg and diesel lower than the market rates forces others to pay for it, namely buyers of gasoline. Imagine buyers of milk having to pay higher costs because water is 'subsidized' by government policy. In such a case farmers with milk producing cows would demonstrate but what happens now with the fuel policy is a bit nuts. The oil companies won't protest, the buyers of gasoline don't really understand so they don't protest. And then you have the Democrats fighting to keep a subsidy in place for what? Let supply and demand determine pricing and stop allowing your government to help you with fuel prices because it doesn't actually help you at all.

How dare you think logically

[Joe Mamma]

Thai people , please use your votes to stop this rising insanity.

[Chrisswe]

If Democratic party don't know the reason why the "costs are up" they should close the door go home stop politic !!!

[saltandpepper]

If Democratic party don't know the reason why the "costs are up" they should close the door go home stop politic !!!

I am sure they know. What they want is the "government" to explain it to Thai people!

That will be priceless......

[jaidam]

I wonder how many decades of free electric for the poor the 700 billion baht could have given as a gesture of kindness from the pro-poor government, instead of the elite rouge having syphoned the lot up with the rice scheme corruption.

My memory is not perfect but I remember having free electric under the Abhisit regime. Under 100 units, since reduced to free under 50 units.