Bangkok: “Weerayuth” is set to reveal information about the “mystery figure” allegedly hoarding fuel in parliament tomorrow. He has gathered 30 MPs for an urgent debate, calling on the government to provide targeted assistance and disclose data on gas stations to mitigate public panic.
According to Thai News Agency, Mr. Veerayut Kanchuchat, a party-list MP and deputy leader of the People’s Party, has highlighted the oil crisis as a major and pressing issue, exacerbated by ongoing conflicts in the Middle East. The People’s Party plans to propose an urgent oral motion in parliament tomorrow to discuss the crisis and present solutions to the government. More than 30 MPs are ready to participate, aiming to address the concerns of various sectors. Current government measures like releasing oil reserves or boosting oil levels mainly benefit small-scale farmers, fishermen, and delivery riders, whose voices often go unheard. These groups face severe challenges due to their dependence on fuel for their livelihoods. The People’s Party seeks to consolidate these issues for parliamentary discussion and to forward proposals to the government.
Mr. Veerayuth stated, “Right now, we want our assistance to be more targeted, instead of a blanket price-fixing campaign. We want it to focus on key areas because we know where the hardship is.”
When questioned about discussions with the government regarding the motion, Mr. Veerayuth acknowledged a delay, noting the proposal was made the previous week due to urgent needs. However, it has now been scheduled for this week, with indications that the government is willing to listen, and speakers will participate in the debate. He encouraged the public to follow the proceedings to understand perspectives from both the government and opposition.
In response to Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Transport Pipat Ratchakitprakarn’s assurance that gas stations will have fuel next week, Mr. Veerayuth emphasized the importance of information disclosure. The public needs to know which gas stations have fuel, enabling them to plan accordingly. The Department of Energy Business Development announced a Fuel Now application two days ago, which will inform the public, but it has yet to be launched. Mr. Veerayuth urged for the process to be expedited.
Turning to the agricultural sector, Mr. Veerayuth expressed concerns about fertilizer shortages, a primary issue for farmers. Despite “Blue Flag” and “Green Flag” initiatives, assistance remains limited. The “Green Flag” project previously provided only 5 million kilograms of fertilizer, whereas the country requires 5 million tons annually. This represents just 0.1% of the needed supply, highlighting the inadequacy of current efforts.
When asked about the People’s Party’s recommendations, particularly in light of reports that the Middle East may halt oil supplies to Asia, Mr. Veerayuth stressed the need for equitable oil distribution as a short-term solution. With over a hundred days’ worth of oil reserves reportedly available, he believes the crisis can be managed. However, he emphasized that transparency and effective distribution are essential for public confidence.
“Even today, people are still asking questions that the government hasn’t answered, such as where they can refuel their cars. Disclosure of information has two benefits: it builds public confidence in daily life and provides transparency that allows for verification of whether loopholes, missing points, or irregularities actually exist,” Mr. Veerayuth stated.
When asked about any complaints regarding the masked figure, Mr. Veerayuth noted they had received several pieces of information and urged everyone to await the revelations in tomorrow’s debate.