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Somkid Kingkrodklang Leads Nakhon Ratchasima Truckers in Protest Against Rising Diesel Costs

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In the bustling region of Nakhon Ratchasima, a palpable tension is brewing. It stems from an outcry by the Northeast’s truckers’ association that has decided it’s time to hit the road—in protest. The rising cost of diesel fuel has tipped the scales, compelling them to form a convoy of trucks, demanding the government cap the diesel price at 30 baht per litre.

Leading the charge is Somkid Kingkrodklang, a stalwart in the transport sector and the head honcho of the Land Transport Federation of Thailand in the Northeast. On a recent Wednesday, he vocalized the struggles plaguing transport businesses, bound tightly to their dependence on diesel fuel. With B7 diesel hovering at 32.94 baht per litre, the pinch is evident. “It’s still brutally high,” Somkid lamented, emphasizing the urgent need for the government to regulate the price at 30 baht. For many in the business, this adjustment is a necessity for survival.

The turbulence doesn’t stop at diesel. Unrelenting fuel prices ripple through the economy, inflating the cost of various goods and commodities. Somkid painted a grim picture: “If this continues, entrepreneurs will be strangled by escalating costs.” Despite the gravity, their cries for help have lingered unanswered. The federation’s grievances have reached government ears thrice before but have seemingly fallen into a bureaucratic abyss.

Determined not to let their plight be sidelined, the federation is rallying. Next Tuesday, members are set to amass in Nakhon Ratchasima, rolling out a convoy of a hundred trucks strong. This fleet will journey to Bangkok the following day, converging with convoys from other regions. The collective force of 400 trucks will rumble through only one traffic lane, ensuring minimal disruption but a powerful statement.

Just this past Monday, Deputy Prime Minister and Energy Minister, Pirapan Salirathavibhaga, had a pressing conference with the federation. He urged them to put the brakes on their protest plans, assuring them that he was advocating for a legislative overhaul to recalibrate the diesel pricing mechanism—potentially easing the burden.

As news of spiking diesel prices surged on Wednesday, the reverberations were already felt far and wide. Shops, businesses, and especially transport companies confronted rising operational costs. For some, hiking prices of goods and services seems an inevitable response to the diesel dilemma, sending ripples of financial strain through the fabric of daily life.

Nakhon Ratchasima’s roads may soon be abuzz with the dissent of truckers, engines roaring for a cause. The unfolding events could mark a critical juncture for the transport sector, compelling a deeper, long-overdue look at fuel pricing. In the end, this rolling act of defiance underlines an urgent plea for economic stability in a landscape overshadowed by rising diesel costs.

37 Comments

  1. Joe June 26, 2024

    I totally support the truckers. Diesel prices are out of control!

    • Jill Bennett June 26, 2024

      But wouldn’t capping the prices just cause other economic issues down the line?

      • Joe June 26, 2024

        I don’t think so. The government needs to step in and help us all out now.

      • Sarah_L June 26, 2024

        Joe, that’s short-sighted. Artificially capping prices can lead to shortages.

    • hopetomorrow8 June 26, 2024

      Maybe the truckers should consider using more fuel-efficient vehicles. They’re part of the problem too.

      • Joe June 26, 2024

        It’s not that simple. Upgrading fleets costs a lot of money which small businesses just don’t have.

      • Ali_Wise June 26, 2024

        Exactly. Plus the transition period would be disruptive to an already struggling industry.

  2. Roy F June 26, 2024

    Somkid and the truckers are making a huge mistake with this protest.

    • GreenThumb23 June 26, 2024

      Why do you think so? This is how they get their voices heard.

      • Roy F June 26, 2024

        Protests disrupt daily life and harm the economy rather than solving any problems.

      • April_L June 26, 2024

        Sometimes disruption is a necessary evil to bring about change.

  3. Mario June 26, 2024

    I still don’t understand how capping diesel at 30 baht could hurt so much. Someone explain?

    • Dr. Ellen June 26, 2024

      Capping prices can distort the market. It can lead to shortages or drive up costs elsewhere.

      • Mario June 26, 2024

        Got it. So it’s a balancing act?

      • Peter James June 26, 2024

        Yes, exactly. It’s more complicated than just setting a lower price.

  4. chiefconcern June 26, 2024

    If the government doesn’t act soon, we’re going to see a lot of small transport businesses going under.

    • JimmyBU June 26, 2024

      And that will lead to higher prices for everything else. It’s a vicious cycle.

    • BeeBee June 26, 2024

      That’s why I’m worried about this as well. We need a sustainable solution.

  5. Nick June 26, 2024

    Why doesn’t the government just subsidize diesel for the truckers? Problem solved!

    • Amelia June 26, 2024

      Subsidizing diesel could cost the government a lot of money. Where would that come from?

      • Nick June 26, 2024

        Better to pay for that than let businesses go bankrupt.

      • Omar_76 June 26, 2024

        But then taxes might go up to cover the subsidy.

  6. Laura Davis June 26, 2024

    Pirapan’s plan to recalibrate the pricing mechanism sounds promising, but will they really follow through?

    • Gary June 26, 2024

      It sounds like another bureaucratic delay tactic to me.

    • Laura Davis June 26, 2024

      Yeah, but it’s still worth giving him a chance to see if he comes through.

  7. FarmFresh June 26, 2024

    The ripple effects of high diesel costs are killing farmers too. Produce prices are soaring.

  8. Joy W June 26, 2024

    I have to agree with the truckers. The government needs to step up and do something practical.

  9. Peter James June 26, 2024

    Capping diesel prices might be a feel-good measure, but it doesn’t solve the underlying problem of fuel dependency.

  10. Freddie_K June 26, 2024

    Rolling out a convoy of 400 trucks is a strong statement. Will it be enough to make a difference?

    • Lucky_13 June 27, 2024

      It will at least bring media attention and public awareness, which could pressure the government.

    • Freddie_K June 27, 2024

      True, but what if the government still doesn’t act?

    • Nina Hol June 27, 2024

      Then we’ll see even more protests and perhaps more severe disruption.

  11. ShrimpKing June 27, 2024

    Government intervention in pricing always ends badly. Just look at history.

  12. Jen June 27, 2024

    The fuel crisis is a global issue. Even if Thailand caps prices, it doesn’t change the world market.

  13. Mark L June 27, 2024

    The federation’s persistence shows how critical this issue is. We can’t ignore their plight.

  14. Tanya June 27, 2024

    How do they plan to manage 400 trucks on one lane without causing major traffic chaos?

  15. Ken P June 27, 2024

    Higher diesel prices are affecting everyone, but truckers are facing the brunt of it.

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