Bangkok: The Prime Minister stated that oil prices should be determined by market mechanisms. Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul, in an interview following the "Meet the Press: One Month of Global Crisis: Thailand's Plan to Cope in a Changing World" event, expressed confidence in the country's fuel supply, assuring the public that there is sufficient fuel available to meet the demand. He emphasized the importance of transparency through data, indicating that fuel supply chains from refineries to gas stations are operating smoothly, ensuring no hoarding occurs.
According to Thai News Agency, the Prime Minister did not confirm whether fuel prices would remain stable, stating that any adjustments would be guided by market dynamics. He noted that fuel reserves are maintained for potential crude oil shortages but cannot be used indiscriminately. Anutin highlighted the shift in fuel pricing dynamics between Thailand and Malaysia, where previously Thais would refuel in Malaysia due to lower prices, but now the reverse is true, necessitating adjustments to prevent reduced access for Thai consumers.
Regarding potential price hikes, Anutin stated that any increase, such as a previous 6 baht per liter rise, would depend on global market conditions. He clarified that the government's actions are not aimed at boosting business profits but involve utilizing the fuel fund mechanism. This approach, he admitted, is not sustainable long-term, and there is a need to balance fuel prices to minimize public impact. He called for public cooperation in conserving fuel and stressed that the fuel fund should not bear the sole burden of subsidizing prices. Instead, it could be redirected to assist other sectors and vulnerable groups.
The Prime Minister also addressed the possibility of capping fuel prices at 16 baht per liter, noting that the government has already reduced prices from 24 baht per liter. He highlighted that daily fuel consumption is approximately 60 million liters, with public cooperation contributing about 1.5 billion baht daily to the fuel price support fund. This fund assists sectors such as transportation, fishing, and agriculture, along with vulnerable populations.
Regarding the directive to supply fuel to over ten thousand gas stations by the week's end, Anutin reported improvements in the situation, with provincial governors confirming the availability of fuel. He urged continuous monitoring by governors to ensure consistent supply. When questioned about potential issues during the upcoming Songkran festival, Anutin acknowledged similar figures between oil produced and returned to storage, indicating no disappearance of oil, though he did not address potential long queues.
Source: Thai News Agency