Activists are seeking signatures for a petition demanding the removal of Energy Minister Pongsak Raktapongpaisal and four subordinates over the cabinet's decision to lift subsidies on the price of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) for household use.
Protesters gather in front of the PTT and Board of Investment offices on Vibhavadi road early on Monday, Sept 9, 2013, demanding the removal of the energy minister over the staggered increase in the price of cooking gas caused by the lifting of the subsidy. Photo by Thiti Wannamontha
Registration tents were put up by civic networks - including the Confederation of Consumer Organisations and the Foundation of Consumers - in the vicinity of the headquarters of PTT Plc (PTT) on Vibhavadi road on Monday morning.
The group aims to acquire at least 50,000 signatures by the end of September in a bid to remove Mr Pongsak and four senior officials under him.
Around 10,000 people had already signed in support of the petition, while at least 300 people were present at the rally site in the morning to protest against the price rise for cooking gas.
The number of protesters had increased to over 500 by early afternoon, blocking Vibhavadi road and nearby areas. PTT and the Board of Investment, which are housed at the same location, decided to let some of their staff go home from 1pm onwards.
The cabinet on Aug 13 approved an increase in the price of cooking gas by 50 satang/kg every month, starting from Sept 1, until the price reaches 24.82 baht/kg. The current price is 18.63 baht/kg.
The government has said the price float is aimed at reducing fuel subsidies that are diminishing the state Oil Fund.
Itboon Onwongsar, chairman of the Foundations for Consumers, on Monday said the new LPG price policy is unjust and puts a big burden on the public.
Other social networks nationwide are in alliance with those protesting in Bangkok and would also join the cause, he said, adding that they aim to gather 1,000 signatures in each province outside Bangkok, which would mean 76,000 additional signatures from the 76 provinces.
The petition would then be forwarded to the Office of the Ombudsman, which would investigate Mr Pongsak and the other named government officials working in the Ministry of Energy, said Mr Itboon.
The Foundation for Consumers, the Confederation of Consumer Organisations and Bangkok senator Rosana Tositrakul on Aug 29 filed a lawsuit against Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra, the cabinet and the Energy Policy Committee, asking the court to repeal the approval of the rise in the price of LPG for home use.
Ms Rosana said the Energy Policy Committee was not authorised to assign priority to the household and petrochemical sectors for the use of gas. The cabinet's approval of the price increase was deemed illegal, she said.
LPG for use in vehicles, which has been capped at 21.38 baht per kg, will also rise incrementally by 50 satang a month starting in February, until it reaches 24.82 baht.