http://www.biz-day.com/energy/ Business Day Energy Headlines en-us BANGKOK, Oct 25 - The state-run Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand (EGAT) Thursday signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the Nam Thuen-Hinboun Power Co of Laos to buy more electricity from the land-locked country at Bt1.82 per unit.'The MoU was signed by Kraisri Karnasutra, governor of EGAT, and Viraphonh Viravong, director-general of Laos' Department of Energy Promotion and Development.'Under the agreement, production at the plant will be doubled to 440 MW from the... http://www.biz-day.com/read/energy/25_oct_07/z78gs-c/thailand_signs_mou_buy_more_electricity_laos.htm BANGKOK, Oct 21 - The impact of high oil prices in the world market plus several other factors will play a significant role in the movement of the Thai currency, the baht, and the Bangkok stock market this week, according to a report issued by the Kasikorn Research Center.'The report said the baht -- which closed at around Bt34.15-34.18 against the dollar late Friday on the onshore market -- is projected to move within a 15 satang range at Bt34.05-34.20 against the greenback this... http://www.biz-day.com/read/energy/22_oct_07/f4auw-m/rising_world_oil_prices_pivotal_thai_baht_stocks_this.htm BANGKOK, Oct 3 - Energy Minister Piyasvasti Amranand on Wednesday played down public concerns over the floatation of cooking gas prices in mid-December, saying it would not adversely affect their expenses because the ministry planned to reduce its contribution to the State Oil Fund by 0.50 baht per litre.'Speaking after joining a function to mark the 5th anniversary of the ministry's foundation, he said that cooking gas or liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) prices would be floated as planned by... http://www.biz-day.com/read/energy/03_oct_07/f4gzj-x/energy_minister_downplays_concern_over_floatation_of.htm BANGKOK, Sept 23 - Although retail oil prices in Thailand increased by 40 satang per litre yesterday, retail prices may rise again if global oil prices do not fall, according to a senior executive at Bang Chak Petroleum Co. Ltd.'Bang Chak senior director Yodphot Wongrakmit said oil traders are still suffering losses because the slight increase in retail oil prices in Thailand did not correspond to the jump in global oil prices. 'There are signs that domestic retail oil prices may have to... http://www.biz-day.com/read/energy/23_sep_07/jr3df-p/retail_oil_prices_thailand_may_continue_rising.htm BANGKOK, Sept 21 - Thailand's exports amounting to nearly US$14 billion last month, hit a record high with aEn 18 per cent rise over the same period last year while a total of about US$ 97 billion was earned from exports during the last eight months this year, according to Commerce Minister Krirkkrai Jirapaet.'Such positive trade values had occurred in spite of the stronger baht currency and exporters' complaints of difficulties in dealing with world export markets, the commerce minister... http://www.biz-day.com/read/energy/21_sep_07/h3r4h-j/exports_hit_record_high_of_us_14_billion_august.htm BANGKOK, Sept 18 - Energy Minister Piyasvasti Amranand on Tuesday said the ministry is ready to transfer funds to the Ministry of Transport to finance construction of the country's mass transit rail system early next year.'He said the funds would be divided fairly to subsidise the building of the dual-rail system, the electric subway and the elevated train system, and other transport systems at present and in the future.'For instance, as a mass transit system is built in the Bangkok... http://www.biz-day.com/read/energy/20_sep_07/g7apw-v/energy_ministry_ready_fund_mass_transit_system.htm BANGKOK, Feb 17 - Thailand's Energy Ministry will put more effort into encouraging more communities to manufacture bio-diesel after discovering that only one-third of the country's used cooking oil is collected and recycled for use in making bio-diesel for local consumption.'Energy Minister Piyasvasti Amaranand said it is his ministry's policy to encourage each locality to produce bio-diesel from used vegetable oil, after it was found that only 25 million litres of 74 million litres of... http://www.biz-day.com/read/energy/17_feb_07/iwa37-4/energy_ministry_encourages_local_bio_diesel_production.htm BANGKOK, Feb 12 - Thailand and Oman will cooperate in exploring for natural gas and oil fields in third countries, with Myanmar being the first target, Thai Energy Minister Piyasvasti Amranand said Monday.'The plan is a follow-up step following PTT Exploration and Production's (PTTEP) commencement in producing natural gas and condensate from Oman's Shams field last week.'PTTEP is the first Thai company to produce petroleum in the oil-rich Middle East country.'After the successful... http://www.biz-day.com/read/energy/11_feb_07/ea2eq-f/thailand_oman_seek_natural_gas_oil_myanmar.htm BANGKOK, Dec 28 - Energy Minister Piyasvasti Amranand on Thursday insisted the State Oil Fund would give up a price subsidy on liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) next year to reduce its financial burdens.'He said the decision to end the LPG price subsidy was made because the number of public buses and personal cars, which turn to install LPG kits, increased by up to 50 per cent this year.'Under the circumstance, the Fund needs to spend up to 150 million baht per month subsidising the LPG... http://www.biz-day.com/read/energy/27_dec_06/ifmy8-s/energy_minister_insists_giving_up_lpg_price_subsidy.htm Bangkok, Dec 4: GS Caltex Corp. announced yesterday it has detected a gas and oil reserve in its ground development project in northern Thailand.'The nation's second-largest oil refinery said the secured reserves are expected to produce 1,254 barrels of crude oil per day and 720,000 cubic meters of natural gas.'The company purchased a 30 percent stake in the exploration project from Siam Moeco Ltd. in July as part of efforts to secure crude oil supplies.'GS Caltex officials stressed... http://www.biz-day.com/read/energy/04_dec_06/b8ckd-x/gs_caltex_finds_oil_natural_gas_northern_thailand.htm Bangkok, Dec 4: US Energy Initiatives Corporation (OTCBB:USEI) ("US Energy" or the "Company"), an ISO9001 Certified manufacturer of a patent dual-fuel diesel to natural gas technology today announced the appointment of Phillip Rappa as Chief Operating Officer. Mr. Rappa had previously served as the President of the Company's subsidiary Automated Engineering Corporation (AEC). Mr. Rappa's appointment is effective December 1, 2006.'"It is with great pleasure that I tap Phil to step into the... http://www.biz-day.com/read/energy/04_dec_06/jzg7u-h/us_energy_initiatives_appoints_phil_rappa_chief.htm Bangkok, Nov 12: The energy ministry has revealed that they are planning to sign an agreement with Laos to purchase between 3,000 and 5,000 MW of electricity from Laos later this year. '"5,000 MW is feasible," Energy Minister Piyasvasti was quoted by VNA as saying. He also said that the agreement to acquire more power from Laos would enable Thailand to accommodate many new projects. 'The power purchase agreement will be signed by the countries' prime ministers during the opening of the... http://www.biz-day.com/read/energy/12_nov_06/fa2g4-t/thailand_get_3_000_5_000_mw_electricity_laos.htm Bangkok, September 12: In what seems to be a welcome relief for the people, the retail price of benzene fuel has been reduced by Bt0.40 a liter, owing to the reduction of the world's oil prices.'The new retail price of premium benzene fuel will be Bt26.79 a liter, while that of regular benzene will be Bt25.99 a liter. However, the price of diesel will remain unchanged, at Bt26.74 a liter, reports the Nation.'Rising oil prices have had a huge impact, directly and indirectly, on all classes... http://www.biz-day.com/read/energy/11_sep_06/gtyma-u/petrol_prices_decrease_today.htm Washington, Sept 11: Harnessing solar energy was once regarded as costly and unfeasible, but various advancements in technology have made it possible for it to play a larger role in the future.'Three separate studies have established ways to increase the efficiencies of solar cells thus enabling them to be used in devices like cell phones, computers, automobiles and other household peripherals.'The first research was conducted by boffins at the University of California, led by Nobel Prize... http://www.biz-day.com/read/energy/11_sep_06/csnc3-p/scientists_devise_new_ways_enhance_solar_cell.htm Thai Oil Plc, Thailand's biggest refiner, said profit soared 95 percent to a record in the second quarter as margins from processing of crude oil increased and it booked a currency gain.'Net income rose to 6.88 billion baht ($184 million), or 3.37 baht a share, in the three months ended June 30, from 3.53 billion baht, or 1.73 baht a share a year earlier, the Bangkok- based company said in a filing to the Thai stock exchange last Friday. Sales increased 18 percent to a record 74.7 billion... http://www.biz-day.com/read/energy/13_aug_06/dxhmu-m/thai_oil_profit_soars_record.htm Energy Minister Viset Choopiban, pictured, on Thursday expressed confidence almost all local oil traders would be ready to make natural gas for vehicles (NGV) available at their oil service stations soon.'Speaking at the Technology for Environment and Alternative Energy Fair, Viset said the government set a target to increase the alternative energy consumption for commercial purposes to 8 percent from 5 percent of the total energy use within 2012.'He said the government then planned to... http://www.biz-day.com/read/energy/06_jul_06/irc7t-b/service_stations_prepare_cater_ngv_customers.htm Rising global oil prices, an explosion of US oil pipeline and concerns over a hurricane which may hit that country, plus a 'zero marketing margin' for major local oil dealers, PTT Public Company Limited (PTT) said Saturday these may push domestic fuel prices up again next week.'Those external issues have caused a panic to the local market, but they should not last long as it was hoped that world oil prices would decline after the issues have settled down, said Chaivat Churitti, PTT's Senior... http://www.biz-day.com/read/energy/02_jul_06/hxhed-a/oil_prices_will_rise_again_this_week.htm PTT, Thailand's biggest energy company, said it plans to spend $250 million for a 40 percent stake in a polymer plant to boost revenue from petrochemicals.'The venture, HMC Polymers, is scheduled to start operations in the second quarter of 2009 with an annual production capacity of 300,000 tons of polypropylene, the company said in a statement to the exchange today in Bangkok.'The transaction, which will make PTT the biggest shareholder, is expected to be completed by August, PTT said. HMC,... http://www.biz-day.com/read/energy/04_jun_06/fuky3-j/ptt_invest_250m_polymers.htm Caretaker Energy Minister Viset Choopiban on Wednesday projected that a new fuel tariff (FT) charge to be announced next month would not edge up considerably. 'He said the committee in charge of regulating electricity affairs or the regulator is now considering an adjustment of the FT charge in electricity bills to be collected in the June-September period.'The Energy Ministry still maintains its policy to make the electricity bills increase as little as possible.'Mr Viset said the... http://www.biz-day.com/read/energy/25_may_06/cfhqk-g/electricity_price_hike_have_little_impact.htm PTT Plc, Thailand's top energy firm, said on Tuesday it had agreed with Dawood Hercules Chemicals Ltd to look for opportunities to invest jointly in Pakistan's energy sector.'Dawood Hercules is the flagship of Dawood Group, which has a strong presence in the chemical, textile, insurance and information technology in Pakistan, the Thai firm said in a statement to the stock exchange.'It gave no further details. PTT has said it plans to invest about 239 billion baht ($6.2 billion) over the next... http://www.biz-day.com/read/energy/23_may_06/fdyah-m/ptt_eyes_investment_pakistan.htm Caretaker Energy Minister Viset Choopiban on Thursday expressed confidence that retail fuel prices on the domestic market would not surpass 30 baht a liter given the tension between the United States and Iran over nuclear concerns and the supply and demand in the marketplace. 'He said the nuclear stand-off between the United States and Iran, focusing on Iran's push to gain nuclear fuel production capacity, appeared to have not deteriorated further at the present time.'The supply and demand... http://www.biz-day.com/read/energy/18_may_06/giydb-3/fuel_prices_expected_stay_under_30_baht_liter.htm Caretaker Finance Minister Thanong Bidaya on Wednesday insisted it is not time to adopt an oil excise tax cut to ease impacts from the oil price crisis since inflation rates are not so high.'He said he had assigned his deputy Varathep Rattanakorn to discuss with the Energy Ministry a proposed tax reduction for the installation of engines modified for natural gas for vehicles (NGV).' Thanong said he wanted the Energy Ministry to come up with technical details on what kinds of equipment and... http://www.biz-day.com/read/energy/11_may_06/hvm3v-c/thanong_against_oil_tax_cut.htm Local retail oil prices are poised to further edge up by 0.40 baht per litre as a marketing margin continues to drop upon a record hike of oil prices in many markets, according to local oil traders.'A source said the oil traders are due to consider the fuel price hike this afternoon. It is very likely they would further raise the price by 0.40 baht per litre with effect from Wednesday because the marketing market had edged down to a level that caused them to suffer loss.'They said the... http://www.biz-day.com/read/energy/04_apr_06/hfsze-z/petrol_prices_poised_rise_anew.htm Tenaga Nasional, Malaysia's biggest power producer, will spend 300 million ringgit ($81 million) restoring old and damaged equipment at its power stations, the New Straits Times reported.'The expenditure will ensure the stations, part of the Cameron Highlands power generation scheme, can generate power for another 30 years, the newspaper reported, citing Safian Ismail, general manager for the scheme.' The power stations include the Sultan Yusuf and Sultan Idris Shah II power stations, which... http://www.biz-day.com/read/energy/02_apr_06/bw8g4-9/tenaga_boost_power.htm Rayong Refinery, a unit of Thailand's biggest energy company PTT Plc, hired Phatra Securities Plc and Finansa Securities Co Ltd to help arrange its initial share sale. 'Rayong Refinery plans to sell new shares to fund the expansion of its refinery capacity, the company said in a filing to the Securities and Exchange Commission on February 10, without saying how much money it plans to raise. The company's board in December approved 1.03 billion new shares in reserve for the initial share sale.... http://www.biz-day.com/read/energy/14_feb_06/dd6dp-7/rayong_hires_phatra_fianansa.htm Mitutoyo Corp, a closely held Japanese company that makes precision equipment, said it was raided yesterday by police for investigation into its export of measuring machines to China and Thailand. 'The raid was prompted by the International Atomic Energy Agency's discovery that three of Mitutoyo's measuring machines sold to China and Thailand were found at a Libyan nuclear facility during inspections between December 2003 and March 2004, the Kyodo news agency reported today, without saying... http://www.biz-day.com/read/energy/14_feb_06/eu9s4-r/mitutoyo_probed_sales_china_thailand.htm Energy Minister Viset Choopiban, pictured, assured the public Wednesday that there will be no shortage of ethanol, the main ingredient for producing gasohol for vehicles, despite a major ethanol producer's demand for a price rise. ' In calling earlier for higher prices at the pump, Thai Alcohol cited the rising price of molasses on the world market, Viset said, but the energy minister responded by commenting that Thailand's other ethanol-producing plants can increase their daily production to... http://www.biz-day.com/read/energy/02_feb_06/fmqyj-w/no_ethanol_shortage_viset.htm The Energy Ministry has set a target to increase the number of vehicles with engines modified for natural gas for vehicles (NGV) to 500,000 units in 2010. 'Permanent Secretary for Energy Cherdpong Siriwit said the ministry wants to see 70,000 vehicles installed with NGV kits this year and had set a target to raise the number to 300,000 and 500,000 units in 2008 and 2010 respectively.'The ministry also intends to see the number of NGV service stations increase to 420 and 740 in 2008 and... http://www.biz-day.com/read/energy/17_jan_06/bnqnx-m/ministry_raise_number_of_ngv_vehicles.htm In an attempt to increase the use of liquefied natural gas (LNG) by Thai motorists, PTT Plc is negotiating with international producers, according to a company senior executive.'Jittapong Kwangsooksathit, PTT's senior executive vice-president, said negotiations were underway with gas producers in several countries including Australia and Indonesia, but that deliveries will not begin until 2011, although a purchase agreement could be signed in three to four months. 'PTT has signed memoranda of... http://www.biz-day.com/read/energy/08_jan_06/cfcch-7/ptt_develop_domestic_lng_market.htm Local oil traders may need to raise retail prices of gasoline and diesel by at least 0.40 baht per liter in the next 1-2 days since global fuel prices have continously increased during New Year holidays, according to a source in the oil business.'The source said on Wednesday that both gasoline and diesel prices in Singapore had increased along with crude oil prices by up to US$4-5 per barrel during that period.'But all oil traders failed to raise the fuel prices to reflect actual costs.... http://www.biz-day.com/read/energy/05_jan_06/ze4e2-q/traders_poised_further_raise_fuel_prices.htm To follow up a campaign for energy conservation of the country, the Energy Ministry has designated 2006 as the year of alternative fuel consumption.'Energy Minister Viset Choopiban on Wednesday revealed that the ministry would continue to focus on encouraging the consumption of alternative energy, including natural gas for vehicle (NGV), gasohol and bio-diesel next year.'It would also promote and finance the power generation from renewable energy by using paddy husks as fuel, he noted.'On... http://www.biz-day.com/read/energy/29_dec_05/ehbhi-v/2006_marked_year_of_alternative_fuel.htm Thailand's overall consumption of petroleum products, excluding that in the petrochemical industry, increased by 3.2 percent in the first 10 months of this year although demand for gasoline continued to drop, according to the country's petroleum giant, PTT Public Company Limited .'During the January-October period, the country's demand for petroleum products, including oil and national gas, stood at 1.164 million barrels per day, a 3.2 percent increase from the same period of last year, PTT's... http://www.biz-day.com/read/energy/25_dec_05/fpe5c-9/petroleum_consumption_rises_3_2.htm petroleum giant PTT Public Company Limited (PTT) confirms that it will not further raise its retail fuel prices on the domestic market on Wednesday although global crude prices have increased due to colder weather in the United States and a fire accident in an oil depot in London.'PTT's President Prasert Bunsumpan conceded that a marketing margin had reduced to less than one baht per liter on average, which is considered very low.'However, he said, the company would wait to see the movement... http://www.biz-day.com/read/energy/13_dec_05/gtfxy-b/no_plan_fuel_price_hike_says_ptt.htm Thailand's imports of crude oil in the first nine months of this year dropped by 9.4 percent, while the country's total imports of petroleum products in the January-September period decreased by 5.4 percent, according to PTT Public Company Limited (PTT).'PTT reported on Wednesday that demand for petroleum products during the period totaled 1.17 million barrels per day on average, a 4.1 per cent increase from the same period last year.'These include demand for diesel oil accounting for 345,700... http://www.biz-day.com/read/energy/17_nov_05/fimds-5/oil_imports_drop_more_than_9_first_9_months_of_this.htm PTT Plc, Thailand's biggest energy company, posted its second-highest profit on record, bolstered by improved refining margins in the third quarter and higher contributions from units and affiliates. 'Net income rose 52 percent to 24 billion baht ($583 million), or 8.58 baht a share, from 15.8 billion, or 5.65 baht, a year earlier, according to a company filing to the stock exchange in Bangkok. 'PTT was expected to report profit of 23.1 billion baht, based on the median forecast in a... http://www.biz-day.com/read/energy/13_nov_05/epxi9-6/ptt_posts_52_net_rise_refining_margins.htm Local oil traders have cut the diesel price by 0.30 baht per liter, but have kept gasoline prices unchanged since the current marketing margin is not so high.'Effective from November 9, the diesel price offered by all oil traders at service stations in Greater Bangkok are reduced to 23.09 baht per liter, while gasoline prices remain unchanged.'Anont Sirisaengtaksin, Acting Senior Executive Vice President of PTT Public Company Limited (PTT)'s Oil Business Group, said on Tuesday that the... http://www.biz-day.com/read/energy/09_nov_05/d87xk-w/oil_traders_cut_retail_diesel_prices_by_0_30_baht_litre.htm Thailand's state-owned oil and gas conglomerate, PTT Plc, is set to post solid growth in third-quarter net profit compared with the previous quarter and the year-earlier period, boosted by buoyant oil prices and higher sales volume.' Staggering earnings growth at PTT's refinery, natural gas, and exploration and production operations likely more than offset its weaker petrochemical arms, analysts said.'PTT also reaped strong sales from its fifth gas separation plant, which started operations... http://www.biz-day.com/read/energy/07_nov_05/dknq7-e/ptt_set_post_solid_q3_growth.htm Egat Public Company Limited is set to pay a dividend of 0.75 baht per share for the 2005 performance to attract potential investors although its third-quarter operating result is expected to be unfavorable.'Boonchoo Direksathaporn, a senior executive of Egat in charge of finance, said on Wednesday that the company has a policy on dividend payment of no less than 40 per cent of its net profits upon provisioning.'On September 16, the Egat board approved the payment of an annual dividend of 0.75... http://www.biz-day.com/read/energy/03_nov_05/cfa7h-d/egat_pay_dividend_of_bt_0_75_share_attract_investors.htm Thai Oil Plc, the country's biggest refiner, said profit rose 83 percent in the third quarter as demand for fuels and chemicals helped counter the soaring price of crude oil. 'Net income climbed to 6.25 billion baht ($153 million), or 3.07 baht a share, from 3.42 billion baht, or 1.80 baht a share, a year ago, the Bangkok-based company said today in a Thai exchange filing. 'Sales increased 56 percent to 70.7 billion baht from 45.4 billion baht. The cost of sales rose 57 percent to 62.6... http://www.biz-day.com/read/energy/03_nov_05/ch9fm-n/thai_oil_profits_soar_fuelled_by_demand.htm PTT Exploration & Production Plc, Thailand's second-biggest natural gas producer, reported its biggest quarterly profit as a surge in crude oil prices boosted its sales. 'Net income rose 75 percent to 7.2 billion baht ($176 million), or 10.96 baht a share, from 4.1 billion baht, or 6.29 baht a share, a year earlier, the company reported in a filing to the Thai stock exchange today. 'Sales increased 59 percent to 19.2 billion baht. The company's second-quarter profit of 5.5 billion baht had... http://www.biz-day.com/read/energy/25_oct_05/jmj86-i/ptt_profits_soar_back_of_rising_crude.htm Global oil prices are very likely to stay high in the next few years and retail fuel prices on the domestic market to range from 25-30 baht a litre next year, PTT Plc said.'PTT President Prasert Bunsumpun said on Wednesday that the domestic retail fuel prices are unlikely to increase for now although a marketing margin has decreased.'It was expected that the margin would average 0.50 baht per liter this year, down from 1-1.10 baht per litre last year.'The current retail prices stay at an... http://www.biz-day.com/read/energy/06_oct_05/zm46s-c/retail_oil_stay_around_25_30_baht_ptt_says.htm Energy Minister Viset Choopiban on Wednesday acknowledged that he had urged PTT Public Company Limited (PTT) to negotiate with natural gas concessionaires for an average cut in gas prices to ease volatilities and possible impacts on the fuel tariff (FT) charge.'He said PTT had been asked to talk with Chevron Corporation and PTT Exploration and Production Public Company Limited (PTTEP) into reducing the prices, but not to an extent the overall natural gas business had been affected.'Unless the... http://www.biz-day.com/read/energy/29_sep_05/cvbi2-k/viset_seeks_reduce_gas_price_impact.htm Thailand's nine oil retailers will increase both gasoline and diesel prices by 0.40 baht a liter Friday, while state-owned PTT Plc will maintain its prices for now, an official at the Energy Ministry said Thursday.'Following the hike by the nine oil retailers, premium and regular gasoline will retail at 27.34 baht per liter and 26.54 baht per liter, respectively. The price of high-speed diesel will be raised to 23.79 baht per liter. All of the retail prices are already at all-time... http://www.biz-day.com/read/energy/08_sep_05/eg3bg-a/pump_prices_jump_0_40_baht.htm The Ministry of Energy yesterday met with the representatives of oil retailing companies and concerned government agencies in an effort to discuss appropriate energy-saving measures as oil prices have risen sharply toward $80 a barrel.'Among the represented participants were those from PTT Plc, Bangchak Petroleum Plc, Shell Company of Thailand, Esso (Thailand) Plc, the Internal Trade Department, the Ministry of Commerce and the Land Transport Department.'Cherdpong Siriwit, pictured, permanent... http://www.biz-day.com/read/energy/05_sep_05/fghrv-t/moe_plans_new_list_of_energy_saving_measures.htm Thai Airways International Plc, the nation's biggest airline, said it has raised surcharges on both domestic and overseas flights by as much as 50 percent to help restore profitability amid rising oil prices.'Fuel surcharge on intercontinental flights including Australasia has been raised by 43 percent to $50 from $35 per passenger and surcharge on flights within Asia and the Middle East have been increased by 25 percent to $25 from $20, the airline said today in an e-mailed statement.... http://www.biz-day.com/read/energy/21_aug_05/hyin6-6/thai_hikes_fuel_surcharges.htm All oil traders in Thailand have decided to cut their retail diesel prices by Bt0.40 a litre, effective from yesterday. It is the first reduction of domestic diesel prices in 19 months.'ESSO, a leading foreign oil trader, moved first to reduce its retail diesel price yesterday.'With the concerted move, the price of diesel of the country's petroleum giant, PTT Public Company Limited (PTT), and Malaysia-based Petronas are now at Bt22.59 a litre, while that of other local oil traders are at... http://www.biz-day.com/read/energy/19_jul_05/gkq5k-2/oil_traders_cut_diesel_price.htm PTT Plc, Thailand's biggest energy company, raised the retail price of diesel by 4.1 percent yesterday after the government announced it was scrapping its remaining subsidy on the fuel, ending 18 months of support.'The diesel price rose 0.9 baht a liter to 22.99 baht (55 US cents), effective from 6 a.m., Bangkok-based PTT said on its Web site. 'The price of diesel, used in trucks and buses, and other fuels was last raised by PTT Tuesday. Including yesterday's increase, the diesel price has... http://www.biz-day.com/read/energy/13_jul_05/zr7e3-4/ptt_raises_diesel_price_subsidy_ends.htm Thailand's unions may strike unless the government increases the minimum wage as soaring fuel and transport costs leave workers with less to spend on food, one of the nation's largest labour organisations said. 'The daily wage isn't enough to even buy a bag of powdered milk for my kids,'' said Wilaiwan Sae-tia, head of the Thai Labor Federation, which represents more than 1 million factory workers. Unions will meet July 10 to decide on a possible strike if the government fails to meet their... http://www.biz-day.com/read/energy/07_jul_05/egun5-2/unions_urge_govt_increase_wages.htm Domestic automobile sales are expected to fall in the second half of this year on soaring oil prices and signs that interest rates may rise, said the vice president of the Federation of Thai Industries' Automobile Businesses, Ninnart Chaithirapinyo.'Automobile sales rose 13percent, or about 280,000 units, in the five months through May. ' But soaring retail oil prices and the possibility of rising interest rates are likely to affect auto sales for the rest of the year as purchasing power... http://www.biz-day.com/read/energy/03_jul_05/bci63-z/oil_prices_may_hurt_auto_sales.htm The government asked Exxon Mobil, Thai Oil Plc and other refiners in the country to limit imports of crude oil for the rest of this year, in an effort to reduce the country's trade deficit.'Refiners should restrict imports to a combined amount of about 800,000 barrels a day, a level that's enough to meet domestic consumption, Finance Minister Somkid Jatusripitak told reporters in Bangkok today. He had earlier met with executives from all six refiners in the country to seek their cooperation on... http://www.biz-day.com/read/energy/28_jun_05/z4ese-7/limit_crude_oil_imports.htm