Bangkok:A collective of truck operators from the Federation of Land Transport of Thailand, alongside a network of 13 transport associations, assembled in front of the Ministry of Energy to demand that the government stabilize the price of B7 diesel at no more than 35 baht per liter for a one-year period. They additionally called for a comprehensive restructuring of the energy pricing framework and the regulation of oil refining costs, providing the government with a 60-day ultimatum to respond or face an escalation of protests.
According to Thai News Agency, Mr. Thongyoo Kongkhan, President of the Federation of Land Transport of Thailand, formally presented a letter to Mr. Ekanat Promphan, the Minister of Energy, via Ms. Thitiphas Chotdechachainant, known as "O Sudsoi," who serves as the secretary to the Minister of Energy. Mr. Thongyu emphasized that the current B20 fuel price reduction measure is inadequate for most truck operators relying on B7 fuel, urging the government to address actual fuel prices, restructure fuel pricing, eliminate undue costs, regulate refining expenses, reduce excise taxes, and investigate the disappearance of approximately 700 million liters of fuel.
Ms. Thitiphas has pledged to relay these demands to the minister and is preparing to meet with Mr. Thongyu and other transport association representatives soon to collaboratively seek solutions. Meanwhile, the Ministry of Energy is addressing cases of illegal oil, with the Ang Thong oil depot case already submitted to the prosecutor and ongoing investigations by the DSI into certain oil traders and refineries. The Department of Energy Business plans to coordinate with the DSI next week to expedite these prosecutions, maintaining its commitment to hold those responsible accountable.
Pongpol Yodmuangcharoen, the political spokesperson for the Ministry of Energy, noted that reducing diesel prices from the current 42.50 baht per liter to 35 baht could deprive the government of up to 180,000 million baht in annual revenue due to excise tax cuts. Despite this, the ministry has initiated changes, including the removal of transportation costs and insurance from the oil pricing formula as of October 29th, saving about 10.8 billion baht per year.
Mr. Atthawich Suwannaphakdee, deputy leader of the Ruam Thai Sang Chart Party, supports the feasibility of reducing B7 diesel and Gasohol 95 prices to 35 baht per liter without solely relying on excise tax reductions. He advocates for stringent regulation of refinery costs and reassessment of the use of Singapore's refined oil price benchmark, viewing the elimination of certain cost items as merely an initial step.
Mr. Thongyu reiterated that failure to see satisfactory government progress by the 60-day deadline will lead to escalated actions post important royal ceremonies, potentially mobilizing 500 to 1,000 trucks into Bangkok to press the government to earnestly tackle the energy price issue.