 What do Vientiane's drivers think should be done? Mr Duangta Keonasin, 32, a tuk tuk driver at Sikhay market, said: "I have to pay double the price for the same amount of petrol. I try to save petrol when the prices increase. When I am negotiating the price of a trip with my passengers I will stop the engine. When I drive, I will choose the quickest way to get to my destination. People who use their own vehicles can also save petrol by travelling together when go to work or school or they can use public transport like buses or tuk tuks. If many people go together in the same vehicle, it can reduce the amount of petrol used. I want the Government to help vehicle users to save money by inspecting gas stations. I notice that a lot of gas stations tamper with their petrol pumps so that we end up paying money for air. I see the cost on the screen going up even though there is no petrol going into my tuk tuk. It is not fair for users. We buy expensive petrol anyway, but if this happens we don't even get the petrol that we pay for." Ms Sonemany Sayyakone, 21, a resident of Hongkhaikeo village, said: "I think we can reduce our use of petrol. We should not use our vehicles much. We should only go somewhere when it is necessary. We also have to check our vehicles to make sure that they are using fuel efficiently. I notice many teenagers travelling along the roads and not caring about the petrol they are using." Mr Laimekham Sinthala, 42, a residence of Saphanthong Tai village, said: "The petrol price is having an impact on our living conditions, especially Government officials who get small salaries and have to pay for many things. When the price of petrol increases, they spend more money. People who use cars to travel to the office should use motorbikes instead because they use much less petrol than cars. If we only need to go somewhere close by we should walk or use bicycles. That way we get exercise and also save money. The price of petrol is actually more expensive in our country than it is in neighbouring countries because we have to import it. In Thailand and Vietnam, they can order oil and produce petrol themselves, therefore their petrol prices are cheaper." Mr Vilath Vanvalath, 21, a residence of Vientiane, said: "In the past, I always went out with my friends to enjoy the night life, but now I don't go because petrol is too expensive and I have to stay home after school. I can't use my motorbike to travel around town as usual. I just go to school and come back home. This is one way we can save petrol. Many people complain about the price of petrol, especially students like me. We don't earn money, but we have to go to school. Can the Government help students to afford petrol?" A resident of Vientiane said: "I don't think that we can save petrol. It is a thing that we have to use every day. When we go somewhere, we have to use petrol. Usually I use petrol for necessary trips, I only go to work, and come back home. But petrol is getting more expensive, so our payments increase even if we try to save it." |
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