AFTER COUP
NCPO, energy experts meet to discuss reforms
THE NATION

THE THAI ENERGY Reform Watch (TER Watch) group - launched yesterday - has proposed three measures to reform the country's energy programme to the National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO).

The first proposal concerns petroleum concessions. It suggests sharing income from the fuel |concession process and extending contracts for existing concessions due to expire in seven or eight years from now.

The next proposal is to revise the management system for the country's liquid petroleum gas (LPG). In 2008, the Cabinet said that people had the right to use LPG before the petrochemical industry.

The final point was cancellation of the oil price reference against the Singapore markets, which are calculated from oil refinery prices and import premium.

The TER Watch group said Thailand had its own oil refinery and did not need to add the import premium cost. As a result, the oil price would reduce Bt0.70 per litre, said ML Kornkasiwat Kasemsri, director of the energy policy research centre of Rangsit University.

He is a representative of the Thai Energy Reform Watch and met with the junta’s economic chief, Air Chief Marshal Prajin Juntong, yesterday. ACM Prajin also met with parties from the country's energy industry, including PTT, the Energy Department, Thai Energy Reform Watch, and others.

This was their second meeting following an earlier one on June 15, which also failed come up with a draft for energy reforms.

Manun Siriwan, an 'expert' who represents Energy Reform for Sustainability, said that the group also proposed cancellation of the ceiling price of diesel, and cutting the collection fee for petrol from the Oil Fund.

Yesterday's meeting had still not concluded its business after nine hours and the NCPO will further consider energy reform at the end of this month.


-- The Nation 2014-06-23

The next proposal is to revise the management system for the country's liquid petroleum gas (LPG). In 2008, the Cabinet said that people had the right to use LPG before the petrochemical industry.

Domestic consumers who need and in fact have to use L.P.G. should indeed take priority over those who use L.P.G. in our vehicles. People first.

The TER Watch group said Thailand had its own oil refinery and did not need to add the import premium cost. As a result, the oil price would reduce Bt0.70 per litre, said ML Kornkasiwat Kasemsri, director of the energy policy research centre of Rangsit University.

Now why would there be a need for a loading of some 70 satang per litre for refined oil products?

Would that be at the behest of certain shareholders so as the enhance their dividend income ?

If they can reduce the energy's price also I hope they will keep the steering-wheel long time.