Thai ruling party grapples with slow economy 1 year after election

BANGKOK -- Ever since the Thai government's gasoline subsidies expired in April, Somporn Torsri, a 29-year-old food delivery driver in Bangkok, has been in a bind: Taking more jobs would cut into his meager income of 500 baht ($13.60) a day.

"I used to earn nearly 1,000 baht a day, but now my income is eroded by rising oil prices," he said. "So I try not to accept all food orders from clients because the more orders I get, the more I have to spend on gasoline."