Petrol curfew

[Guest]

Petrol pump curfews loom for Thailand

Govt proposal to lower oil consumption as prices soar

 

BANGKOK: -- In a radical move to ease oil price pressures, Thailand is considering imposing curfews at petrol stations which, except for those on highways, will close at 10pm in an effort to lower petrol consumption.

 

The Nation said that the plan was unveiled by Prime Minister Thaksin Shinwatra during the weekly Cabinet meeting on Tuesday.

 

'This is yet to be implemented. But he wants to send a signal to the public that it is time for everyone to lower their fuel consumption after the Energy Ministry's campaign had little concrete success,' the paper quoted government spokesman Jakrapob Penkair as saying.

 

Sompop Thanatheeraphong, chairman of the oil traders association, however, feels the plan may create an unfair environment.

 

'If this plan is to be imposed, all stations should be subject to a similar rule. For example all must close at midnight. That will lower oil consumption and reduce electricity consumption at over 10,000 stations across the country,' he said.

 

Energy Minister Prommin Lertsuridej has been assigned to study the details of the curfew plan and is to present them at next week's Cabinet meeting, Mr Jakrapob said.

 

To set an example, all ministers have been advised to install equipment that will permit their cars to switch to the cheaper natural gas. 'The prime minister announced that he will be the first to do so, to be an example for the public,' Mr Jakrapob said.

 

'He also expressed concern about the current account deficit. Though the deficit is not a serious problem, he said, it is a warning that all must reduce oil consumption as fuel imports also contribute to the deficit.'

 

For the first time in two years, Thailand posted a current account deficit of US$19 million.

 

Earlier, the Energy Ministry suggested that stricter action could be taken if oil prices continue to climb. Among its proposals is early shutdown of TV broadcasts.

 

The plans were unveiled following another surge in oil prices on Tuesday to over US$42 a barrel following a suspected al Qaeda attack over the weekend in the Saudi oil hub of Khobar which left 22 people dead.

 

--The Business Times 2004-06-04

[Guest]

And just two weeks ago Thaksin said He was going to turn Bangkok into a heaven for cab drivers. Can you imagine the mayhem this curfew will create.

[torrenova]

Another crackpot idea by Toxin. Perhaps he's been sniffing the petrol fumes too much recently ?