The cabinet decided today (Tuesday) to extend the current measures intended to cushion the impacts of rising energy prices for those with low incomes and small businesses, to help with their cost of living. The cabinet will also seek cooperation from both the private and public sectors in conserving energy.

Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha warned that the current energy crisis is unlikely to end in the foreseeable future, hence the need for further meetings to develop longer-term measures to cope with the uncertain situation.

Measures to help small businesses and those in need include:

• Retail price of NGV or natural gas for vehicles to be frozen at 15.59 baht/kg and 13.62 baht/kg for taxis which participate in government-subsidised program for three more months, retroactive from June 16^th to September 15^th.
• Retail price of LPG to be frozen at 408 baht for 15-kg cylinder for three months from July until September. Street food vendors and small shops which hold welfare cards will be given 100 baht per month discount for the purchase of LPG.
• Low-income earners who hold state welfare cards will be given discounts on the purchase of cooking gas for three months and a 50% discount on the purchase of diesel for the amount above 35 baht/litre for three months.

Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha said today that the government had asked the country’s oil refineries to increase their profit contributions to the Oil Fuel Fund, to ease the burden on the exchequer until September.

He also said the government will seek cooperation from the private and government sectors in conserving energy with measures to reduce consumption at their premises as appropriate, such as by switching off unnecessary lighting and adjusting air conditioner thermostats. They should also promote the use of public transport.

For the government sector, he said he has issued an instruction to cut energy consumption by about 20%.

The prime minister also said, however, that the government will continue to help low-income earners, but on the basis of fiscal discipline, in order not to create a financial burden for the future.

He also asked for public understanding regarding the constraints and limitations on the government and the need to spend cautiously.