Ministry resists pleas over oil prices.

(From The Nation (Thailand))

Byline: The Nation.

Policy to focus on cutting consumption

The Energy Ministry is shrugging off calls to stabilise oil prices in spite of a recent price spike as a result of Iranian tensions and Nigerian supply worries.

The ministry said it would attempt to reduce consumption during the historical peak-consumption period.

This month has seen five consumption records set as a result of hot temperatures. The last was on March 27 when demand reached 21,896 megawatts - 4 per cent higher than the same period last year.

The Energy Policy and Planning Office expects demand to peak at 22,567 megawatts …