Bangkok:Dr. Atthawich Suwannabhakdi has expressed his support for the ongoing protests by the Federation of Land Transport of Thailand, advocating for a reduction in diesel and gasoline prices to below 35 baht per liter.
According to Thai News Agency, Dr. Atthawich, a Member of Parliament and Deputy Leader of the Ruam Thai Sang Chart Party, visited the Ministry of Energy to back the protesters' demands. He engaged with Dr. Thongyoo Kongkhan, President of the Federation, to discuss the economic strain on businesses due to rising fuel costs.
Dr. Atthawich supports the Minister of Energy's efforts to resolve the issue and suggests eliminating Singapore's price reference to make fuel more affordable for the public and transportation sectors. He insists that the main focus should be on reducing the price of B7 diesel, which is critical for truck operations, as its current cost is unsustainable.
He has proposed an urgent review of the oil pricing structure, particularly the profitable refinery segment, to alleviate the financial burden on Thai citizens and businesses. The suggested strategy involves the Ministry of Energy and the Ministry of Commerce implementing a price control mechanism to cap diesel and gasoline prices at 35 baht per liter.
Dr. Atthawich stressed the importance of supporting both entrepreneurs and the Minister of Energy in their efforts, emphasizing the need for tangible results that would lead to lower oil prices and a reduced cost of living.