PHNOM PENH: The Ministry of Commerce announced the increase of fuel prices in February 2022, the third time prices have increased since the start of the year. EAC News hit the streets to gather how citizens were reacting to this news and to understand how increased fuel prices impacts their livelihoods, especially for those who rely on transportation.
Vann Sameng, a trader selling fresh palm fruit in front of Tuol Kork Primary School, said that the increase in the price of gasoline had affected her livelihood because she had to transport palm fruit from Kampong Speu province to sell in Phnom Penh every day, which requires a lot of gasoline. She said that she now has to pay about 20,000 riel per day for gasoline, compared to before she only paid 10,000 riel per day.
"Last year, we spent only 10,000 riel per day, sometimes only 9,000 riel, but this year we spend more than 20,000 riel per day. I refuel gasoline two times a day, three liters at a time, one time 10,000 riel so two times 20,000 riel. There are consequences because I make a living every day, relying on gasoline. I have to refuel every morning. My gasoline expenditure is higher than my food expenditure. In general, my spending on gasoline is more than on drinking water," she said.
Motorcyclist Mat Sary said that after the price of gasoline went up, it affected his income because he had to spend more on fuel while his income is still low. He said that in one day, he spends around 17,000 to 18,000 riel, when before, he only spent 11,000 to 12,000 riel.
He said, "It affects revenue because our income is less and now the price of gasoline is going up, we have less income because we spend more on gasoline."
A taxi driver, Mr. Sideth, said that the increase in gas prices is affecting his livelihood like everyone else. He said that in the past he used to refuel his vehicle for $10 a day, running several taxis. Now, he still chooses to refuel with gas worth $10 a day, but the amount of gas has reduced due to the increased price.
"It's difficult because we run less and refuel more, it has affected me. I pay around $10 for gas (taxi). (In the past) it was the same, but we rode for a long time and ran to earn a lot of money, but now the same amount of money we spend on gas does not give us as much as before, and we do not make much money, it is not very profitable. My gasoline costs are high because I do not park in one place, I ride to other places, so it costs a lot in just one day. I drive a taxi just to get money for gas and make just a little profit from customers," he said.
A tuktuk driver in front of Tuol Kork school, Duch Kimthorn, said that rising fuel costs are a global problem, but since his business is small, he has not personally faced many issues.
He said, "It has an effect, but what if it is a global problem, it is not only us, we only have to follow the procedure in this way, what can we do if it is like that. I have a small business, so it only affects me a little, but for taxi drivers, it can affect a lot because they drive a lot."
The Ministry of Commerce has announced that the price of fuel will continue to rise from 1-15 February, with the price of regular gasoline going up to 4,500 riel, or $1.11, per liter and diesel going up to 4,250 riel, about $1 per liter. This is the third consecutive increase in oil prices in Cambodia since the beginning of 2022.
