The retail price of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) for February has been increased by 67 satang to 20.96 baht a kilogramme to reflect global LPG prices, which rose by US$90 (3,154 baht) a tonne, says the Energy Policy and Planning Office (Eppo).
Director-general Twarath Sutabutr said the new prices are effective today, with the cost of a 15-kilogramme cylinder rising by 16.5 baht.
At the same time, energy policymakers yesterday approved a partial subsidy of 2.33 baht a kilogramme through the state Oil Fund to absorb the rise, meaning the fund will spend 556 million a month to subsidise the gas, up from 400 million before.
The LPG retail price hike is the first such rise since last February, said Mr Twarath, adding that the price is expected to decline gradually throughout 2017.
Policymakers yesterday also approved a preparation plan to avert a blackout or brownout due to gas supply disruptions from Myanmar's Martaban Sea resources from March 25 to April 2 and the Malaysia-Thailand Joint Development Area's A18 block from Aug 31 to Sept 6.
According to the plan, 10 power plants operated by the Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand and other private firms in the western and southern regions of the country will be forced to switch over to bunker oil and diesel from gas.
