Thai Travel Industry Calls for Lower Power Billing

The Tourism Council of Thailand is lobbying the government to cut down on electricity fees for tourism-related businesses nationwide for up to two years to help the industry cope with a slowdown in business.

Vichit Na Ranong, the council chairman, said the agency would petition Deputy Prime Minister Somkid Jatusripitak, who oversees the Tourism Ministry, to seek his support for a cut in electricity rates.

Members of the council agreed to push authorities for reductions at a meeting in Krabi last week.

Tourism businesses are required to pay electricity rates charged to the service industry, which is higher than rates paid by industrial firms.

As part of the petition to the deputy prime minister, the council would also call on the government to speed up the disbursement of compensation to business operators affected by the Dec. 26 tsunami.