Government introduces energy-saving plan

Описание: (10 Sep 2004)

1. Lamps sold in wholesale store
2. Shoppers checking out lamps
3. Close-up of cables and plugs
4. Pan of electric appliances
5. Television sets
6. Various of staff working in store
7. President of MAKRO wholesale store Suchada Ithijarukul checking products with store manager
8. SOUNDBITE (English) Suchada Ithijarukul, President of SIAM MAKRO
"I think it's a good idea, at least to create awareness of all the consumers, the Thai consumers for the energy saving. I think it's about time that we need to do something, you know. I think we support government's policy on this."
9. Exterior of hypermartet Tesco Lotus's entrance
10. Mid shot of Tesco's entrance
11. Various of shoppers
12. Petrol station
13. Close-up of oil price sign
14. Various of activities in petrol station
15. SOUNDBITE (Thai) Pratuang Bunkhuntod, Motorcyclist:
"Night crawlers would usually hang out all night because they know they are able to fill up their tanks wherever and whenever they want all night long. If petrol stations close at midnight, it will be very good. It will save a lot more."
16. Motorcycle being filled up
17. Traffic
18. Associate Professor Arayah Preechametta enters room
19. SOUNDBITE (English) Arayah Preechametta, Associate Processor at Faculty of Economics, Thammasat university:
"According to the recent policy to reduce the operating hours of department stores, I think that this measure may not improve the energy efficiency of the economy, but it can reduce energy consumption just because the whole economy real output has been reduces as a consequence of this policy."
20. Various of neon lights
21. Various of convenience store 7-Eleven

STORYLINE:

The Thai government has introduced an energy-saving plan, calling on retail businesses to cut their opening hours from September 9.

The suggested hours aren't mandatory, but have been worked out in cooperation with representatives of the retail sector.

Some larger retail outlets have agreed to abide by the new hours.

Thailand produces natural gas but little oil and is a net energy importer.

This year's sharp rise in world oil prices has caused the government to look for energy saving measures, which have been proposed by the energy and commerce ministries.

Under energy saving guidelines, department stores and superstores have agreed to limit their operating hours to 11 am to 9.30 pm, Monday
to Thursday, with closing time extended to 10 pm on Friday.

For weekends and holidays, they will be open from 10 am to 10 pm, according to a government announcement.

Most department stores currently operate between 10 am and 9 or 10 pm, while superstores are usually open from 6 am to midnight.

Big wholesale markets, like MAKRO, are also having their hours cut back about an hour a day. MAKRO is an international cash-and-carry wholesaler with 27 branches in Thailand.

Petrol stations, most of which normally operate around the clock, will be shut from midnight until 5 am.

Many Thais agree with the government's move to reduce the country's use of energy amid the rising global oil price.

But the initiative has stirred up criticism among critics and academics on how effective the measure will be.

The government has said it needs to subsidise retail petrol and diesel prices to maintain economic growth.

It has allowed petrol prices to gradually rise, but will still keep a cap on diesel prices until March or April next year in a bid to limit any adverse effects on the domestic economy.

first made public last week, with suggestions that the government was aiding its business cronies.




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