Freight rates rise today as truck drivers threaten nationwide strike

Road transport companies raised their fees by an average of 9% today and are threatening a nationwide strike if the government continues to ignore their demands to cap diesel prices at 30 baht per litre.

Apichart Prairungruang, president of the Land Transport Association of Thailand, said the association and its members had to adjust their fees to cover rising operating costs after four petitions to Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin to cap the price of diesel at 30 baht per litre were ignored.

He acknowledged that the increase in freight costs will push up prices of goods in the domestic market and have a direct impact on Thai exports as they will become more expensive in overseas markets.

He said the government could either cap the price of diesel at 30 baht per litre or provide some kind of subsidy to hauliers to protect them from rising diesel prices, which are likely to rise further from the current 33 baht per litre.

Apichart also said that if by July 3^rdThe government is still ignoring their cries for help, truck drivers across the country will stop their regular operations and thousands of trucks will drive to Bangkok in protest.