People's networks sue Thai PM on LPG price hike

BANGKOK, August 29 (TNA) - People’s networks have filed a lawsuit with Bangkok's Administrative Court against Thai Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra and four other concerned authorities for approving a new retail price hike of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG), also known as cooking gas, on the domestic market, effective from September 1, 2013. Thursday's lawsuit claimed that the increase in the domestic LPG price is unfair for consumers and they have, thus, sought the court’s injunction against the LPG price rise, pending its trial, and order to revoke the Thai Cabinet's resolution on August 13 on the increased retail price of cooking gas for households by 0.50 baht per kilogram as of September 1. The people's networks, led by Saree Aongsomwang, Secretary-General of the Foundation for Consumers, Boonyuen Siritham, Chair of Consumers International, and female Bangkok Senator Rosana Tositrakul, have accused the prime minister, the Thai Cabinet, the National Energy Policy Council, Energy Minister Pongsak Raktapongpaisal and the Energy Planning and Policy Committee of causing damage with the resolution to raise the LPG price. They have also demanded that the ratail cooking gas price be maintained at 18.13 baht per kilogram to protect local consumers, instead of gradually rising to 24.82 baht per kilogram as planned by the government. The people's networks have also called for the Thai Cabinet to set up an independent panel to examine the total cost of LPG, introduce reasonable petrol prices, stop having people contribute to the State Oil Fund, form a national energy reform committee right away and disclose information on energy prices straightforwardly. (TNA)