Thailand’s prime minister Anutin Charnvirakul offered a public apology today for the disruptions people are experiencing as a result of the government’s handling of the current oil crisis.
He raised his hands in a “wai” gesture of apology during the regular press gaggle this morning at Government House. Also present were Foreign Minister Sihasak Phuangketkeow, Finance Minister Ekniti Nitithanprapas, Commerce Minister Suphajee Suthumpun, Energy Minister Atthapol Rerkpiboon and Danucha Pichayanan, secretary-general of the National Economic and Social Development Council.
He recalled that, when Middle East hostilities began, his government decided to try to maintain fuel prices for the first 15 days, to delay or limit the impacts of the inevitable disruption to oil shipments, allowing time for people to adjust.
He noted, however, that the situation has since changed dramatically, with the war escalating and likely to drag on. This has forced his administration to make appropriate adjustments, especially to assist the vulnerable farming, transport, industrial and fishing sectors.
The prime minister insists that the government has not allowed oil prices to float freely, in line with global prices, and is still using the Oil Fuel Fund mechanism to cushion sharp oil price rises, even though the level of the subsidies has been reduced.
The controlled floating of oil prices, triggered by reduced subsidies, has helped to reduce hoarding, he claimed, adding that fuel prices in Thailand are lower than in several other countries in the region, such as Malaysia, Singapore, Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia and the Philippines. The exceptions are Indonesia and Brunei, which are oil producing countries.
Anutin insisted that the fuel shortages seen at service stations in several provinces have eased since the government took steps to address the problem, such as increasing the frequency of oil deliveries to service stations, the easing of oil reserve requirements, a crackdown on fuel hoarding and the removal of supply bottlenecks.
The prime minister also explained that the government has rolled out several measures to help people deal with the rising cost of living, made worse by issues in the Middle East, including the “Thai Help Thai” and “Blue Flag” programs, which to offer basic goods at below-market prices.
He insisted that the government is also focusing on enhancing energy security and dampening the negative impacts of the oil crisis until the situation returns to normal.
