Hundreds of freight trucks deliberately clogged a major thoroughfare of Bangkok on Tuesday, seeking to pressure the government into lowering diesel prices.
The protesting trucks and taxi drivers crawled along the main northbound highway out of Bangkok, with some carrying banners demanding that the energy minister resign for failing to make fuel affordable.
The Land Transport Federation of Thailand said it wants the price for a liter of diesel capped at 25 baht, 5 baht lower than the 30 baht per liter cap that the Ministry of Energy has maintained since October.
The ministry has said the real price is 35 baht per liter, which reflects the rise in prices globally.
Ministry Spokesperson Sompop Pattanariyankool said truck drivers’ demands would require 18 billion baht (US$546.8 million) per month in state subsidies. (NNT)
 |
 |
 |
