Thai government has given green light to fare increase for some transport vehicles, effective after next month's Songkran festival, local press reported Tuesday.

The announcement, declared after a meeting of mass transit and public transport operators, allowed fare rise on inter-provincial and Bangkok Mass Transit Authority buses, express boats and the commuter ferry, but froze ticket hike for privately owned city buses.

Train fares will also be capped for a three-month period.

The fare increase went in line with the diesel price surge, with the least possible impact on commuters and passengers, Transport Minister Suriya Jungrungreangkit was quoted by Bangkok Post newspaper as saying after the meeting.

Thai government last week approved a 20-percent hike in retail diesel price in a bid to cut its fuel subsidies amid soaring world oil prices.

He added the hike would likely occur after the Songkran holidays.

Meanwhile, Deputy Agriculture Minister Newin Chidchob pledged fishermen under the green and purple label would be provided with cheaper diesel.

Floating "green" petrol stations will be set up out at sea to sell diesel to large trawlers at a specially subsidized rate. Close to the shore, a "purple" floating station will retail fuel at a competitive price to cater to the needs of small fishing boats.

Up to 100 million liters of diesel would be in supply to the green stations per month and more purple refueling stations were planned to be build in the Andaman Sea and the Gulf of Thailand, he said.

(Xinhua News Agency March 29, 2005)