Cabinet cuts electricity and diesel prices

New Thai Cabinet decided on Wednesday to cut the price of electricity from Bt4.45 to Bt4.10 per unit, effective from September’s billing cycled, Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin told the media after his first cabinet meeting.

The cabinet also decided to cut the pump price of diesel to under Bt30 per litre, effective from September 20. No details were given about how the government will subsidise these price reductions or how long the reductions will last. Electricity and fuel price cuts are among the highest priority policies detailed by the Pheu Thai party in its election manifesto. The cabinet also decided to change salary payments for government officials from once to twice a month, to ease their financial burden.