Thai Commerce Minister and Deputy Prime Minister in charge of economic affairs Kittirat Na-Ranong said Monday that the government would raise price of Natural Gas for Vehicles (NGV) although transport operators are holding rallies against the plan.

He rejected a demand from protesting truck operators and taxi drivers not to raise the price of NGV, saying mob rule was not acceptable.

According to Kittirat, Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra had affirmed that the NGV price must be increased as approved by the cabinet.

Early this morning, truck and bus operators as well as taxi drivers rallied separately at two spots in the capital, Bangkok, to demand the government to delay the NGV price increase until next year.

In the light of morning rallies, PM Yingluck called a meeting at Government House with related ministers and officials for discussion.

Following the implementation of price raise on January 16, the price of NGV will be gradually increased from the current 8.50 baht per kilogram to 14.50 baht per kilogram by the end of next year.