Thai court rejects civic request against gas price hikes

BANGKOK, January 17 (TNA) - Bangkok's Administrative Court has rejected a request filed by the local civic sector asking the court to issue an injunction against a Cabinet resolution in October 2011 on gradually raising retail prices of natural gas for vehicles (NGV) and liquefied petroleum gas (LPG), citing insufficient evidence to show that the Cabinet decision is unlawful. The civic group, comprising the Foundation for Consumers and citizens who presented themselves as gas consumers against Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra, recently filed the petition requesting the court to issue an injunction pending its final verdict on the Cabinet resolution, under which the retail NGV prices will rise, from Jan 16, by 50 satang (Bt0.50)/kilogram monthly until the end of 2012 when it will stay at 14.50 baht/kilogram from the present 8.50 baht/kilogram, a total 70 per cent hike; while the retail LPG prices will also be raised by 41 satang (Bt0.40 baht)/litre monthly to 16.06 baht/litre at the end of 2012, from the current 11.14 baht/litre. (TNA)