Bangkok: On the final day of the government's policy statement to parliament, the opposition focused their debate on energy policy. The opposition scrutinized the government's lack of clarity in addressing the oil problem amidst the Middle East conflict and demanded an investigation into potential oil smuggling involving the Minister of Transport.
According to Thai News Agency, the joint parliamentary session, chaired by Deputy Speaker Mongkol Surasatcha, continued for the second day. The debate, which began early, saw Mr. Rangsiman Rome, a party-list MP from the People's Party, express his lack of confidence in Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul's government. Rome criticized the appointment of a former Minister of Digital Economy and Society as Minister of Education, citing ongoing investigations by the Department of Special Investigation and the National Anti-Corruption Commission. He also highlighted the government's inaction regarding an oil seizure in Ang Thong province, where businessman "Mr. T" allegedly operated multiple oil depots. Rome requested a probe to determine if the Transport Minister was involved in oil smuggling or illicit capital activities.
Korn Chatikavanij, a list MP from the Democrat Party, questioned the government's approach to the oil price crisis during the Middle East conflict. He argued that the government's strategy of waiting for global oil prices to decrease is leading to continued high fuel prices for consumers. Chatikavanij also challenged the effectiveness of the government's 9 baht per liter reduction in refining margins, pointing out that the actual benefit to consumers was only 2.14 baht and questioned whether the policy favored capitalists too much.