Gas pipelines boost govt ngv drive

As a short-term measure, it will ask the Finance Ministry to extend the period of special tariffs on NGV tanks, equipment and NGV-compatible truck imports, and the waiver of excise tax on NGV vehicles, both of which are due to end this year, until 2012.

The Energy Ministry will also ask that companies be allowed to deduct one quarter of their NGV retrofitting costs from taxable income; and for import tariffs on equipment for NGV trucks to be cut from 10 per cent to 0 per cent.

Energy Minister Poonpirom Liptapanlop said the long-term measure would be the laying of three natural-gas pipelines along main roads. A 172-kilometre pipeline from Ayutthaya to Nakhon Sawan, to carry gas from the Sirikit Field, will cost Bt8.6 billion; a 152-km pipeline from Sing Buri to Nakhon Ratchasima in the Northeast will cost Bt7.6 billion; and a 373-km pipeline from Ratchaburi to Prachuap Khiri Khan in the South will cost Bt18.65 billion.

The environmental impact assessments for the pipelines have been done and they should be completed within three years.

"These are part of PTT's investment but, due to the high cost, the government should allocate a budget to hasten the construction," she said.

On Wednesday, the Public Sector Development Commission will meet to lay guidelines for allowing some civil servants to work from home to save fuel bills.

Initially, only those not dealing directly with the public will be allowed to work from home.