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Imagine this – a colorful cavalcade of public transport vehicles, each emblazoned with expressive banners and signs that scream the angst of their drivers. A sea of people, unified by a cause, gathered mightily at the steps of the Energy Ministry this Tuesday with one overarching plea: “Cut the sky-high NGV prices! Save our livelihoods!” The scene was nothing short of a vibrant tableau, underscored by the compelling narrative of small-scale transport operators in the throes of an economic pinch.
The air buzzed with chants and earnest conversations as 200-300 public transport maestros, from provincial city vans to the nostalgic songthaews, made their grievances known. They were there with a mission – to call upon the government to roll back the price of natural gas for vehicles from a towering 19.59 baht per kilo to a more manageable 12.74 baht.
Picture it – the throng of protesters, each with their stories etched onto their faces, submitting a formal complaint with the hope that Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin would hearken to their plight. Somkid Chueakong, the prime minister’s deputy secretary-general, became the bearer of their collective voice as he accepted the letter, laden with the urgency of their demand.
It’s not just numbers scribbled on paper; it’s the narrative of survival, of days when the public transport warriors had to wrestle with the twin demons of the pandemic’s crippling blow and the relentless surge in fuel costs. Many have succumbed to the financial undertow, their dreams and stalls going under in the murky depths of economic hardship.
The associations aren’t just clamoring for a temporary salve but are advocating for lasting remedies, like the unbounded access to discounted NGV for a good two years. Replay in your mind their earnest conversations, the persuasive cadence as they express their case to Mr. Pirapan—even he had to concede, stating their demand is now under advisement.
As Tuesday waned, and the symphony of transport operators found a temporary lull, Mr. Somkid echoed the sentiment of the day, vowing to channel their aspirations to the higher echelons of power. Imagine the anticipation, the shared heartbeat of a collective who awaits with bated breath. The government’s next move could very well be a dance towards easing the energy strain or another stumble in the ever-turbulent tango of economics.
So now, picture the vibrant dance of democracy, alive and kicking on the streets of government power. Public transport operators, once silent, now echo through the corridors of policy with a singular chorus – we need relief, and we need it now. Keep the engines running, the wheels turning, and let the beat of this movement drum on till the fuel of justice flows anew.
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