Thai Government Unveils Seven Measures To Ease Impact Of Energy Crisis

BANGKOK, March 26 (Bernama) -- The Thai government has outlined seven measures to ease the impact of the energy crisis, including a 100-baht top-up for state welfare card holders and a review of fuel excise tax reductions.

Permanent Secretary for Finance, Laworn Saengsanit, said these measures have been approved during a special Cabinet meeting chaired by Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul held on Thursday to discuss energy measures aimed at assisting the public following the recent rise in fuel prices.

“These seven measures have been approved by the Cabinet and need to be implemented urgently to deliver the greatest benefit to the public,” he told reporters after the meeting.

The measures include reviewing possible reduction of fuel excise taxes, increasing monetary assistance for state welfare card holders by 100 baht -- from 300 baht to 400 baht per person per month--and providing support for transport operators, including trucks, buses and motorcycle taxis.

Other measures are providing assistance for farmers on fertiliser costs under the “Green Flag” programme, approval for the fisheries sector to use B20 diesel to reduce costs, extensions of contract inspection periods for state contractors and liquidity support for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).

Meanwhile, Permanent Secretary for Energy, Prasert Sinsukprasert, said the government acknowledges public concerns that fuel prices could hit 50 baht per litre, noting that it was a difficult decision to make as the situation has escalated more severely than anticipated.

“Whether prices could reach 50 baht per litre will depend on global conditions. If the situation improves and taxes are reduced, prices could decline. However, both upward and downward movements remain possible going forward.

“While efforts were made to maintain price stability, the Oil Fuel Fund could no longer absorb the impact,” he said.

He also noted that suspected hoarding and speculative stockpiling have disrupted supply, with around 86 million litres of fuel -- about 20 per cent above normal levels -- disappearing from the system, likely being stored for future use.

Fuel prices off all types in the country increased by 6 baht (RM0.73) per litre effective March 26. A check at a Bangchak Corporation petrol station on Thursday showed Gasohol 95 now priced at 41.05 baht (RM5.00) per litre, Gasohol 91 at 40.68 baht (RM4.95), and Diesel B7 at 38.94 baht (RM4.74).

-- BERNAMA