Govt tries new tack to steady bus fares.

(From The Nation (Thailand))

Byline: The Nation.

Coupons will help 20,000 vehicles to save on diesel cost as world oil price hits record $73

Oil prices opened yesterday at a record of above US$73 (Bt2,760) a barrel amid growing concern about Iran's nuclear ambitions and declining US petrol stocks.

Somkid Jatusripitak, commerce minister and deputy prime minister, called an urgent meeting with retailers and refiners to draw up measures to ease the shock. The meeting agreed that the oil-traders would reintroduce petrol coupons or fleet cards for 20,000 buses, which would be entitled to the diesel at Bt1 per litre cheaper.

Prasert Bunsumpun, president of PTT Plc, said the largest distributor was willing to participate in the coupon programme …