"Sonthiya” Can't Take It Anymore! Sends a Message to “Prime Minister” Ordering Agencies to Present the Truth About the Oil Price Issue.

Today (18 March) 10.30 AM, at the Government House's complaint center, Mr. Sonthiya Sawasdee submitted a letter to Prime Minister and Minister of Interior Anutin Charnvirakul, requesting an investigation and action regarding inaccurate news reports about oil hoarding and shortages, which caused widespread public panic.

Mr. Sonthiya further stated that the conflict between the United States, Israel, and Iran, resulting in the closure of the Strait of Hormuz in the Arabian Sea, has prevented oil refineries and tankers from entering Thailand or other countries worldwide, impacting the situation. He added that the current caretaker government, under Mr. Anutin, cannot act according to legal procedures. He noted that the caretaker government has been consistently issuing statements, and he has been checking the information regularly. He confirmed that the current oil reserves are approximately 102 days' supply. However, some media outlets have reported on incidents of people being hit by cars while queuing to buy oil, resulting in fatalities, and have declared the current oil situation an emergency. For the reasons stated above, and with the current chaos and confusion,

Mr. Sonthiya further stated that despite the government's clear announcement of fuel price subsidies for both diesel and gasoline, and given the global situation, Thailand's current actions are already quite clear. He noted that many parties have expressed concerns and called for greater clarity from the government, but he questioned how much clarity was needed, as daily press briefings state that fuel reserves will last for approximately 100 more days.

Mr. Sonthiya added that he does not want to see a situation of confusion and chaos similar to the COVID-19 pandemic, when he previously complained about celebrities engaging in "calling out" (a derogatory term for certain individuals who engage in certain behaviors). Therefore, he came to appeal to the Prime Minister, who, while perhaps unable to do much, should warn various parties or implement measures to prevent hoarding. He noted that at border areas and elsewhere, people are not just filling up their vehicles with fuel but are also hoarding it in containers due to a lack of confidence in the government's ability to manage the situation in Thailand.

Mr. Sonthiya concluded by urging the Prime Minister to consider, decide, and take the following actions: 1. Investigate and take action regarding fuel hoarding and the dissemination of information that causes public panic, chaos, and uncertainty about fuel availability. 1. Regarding the exact date and timeline, the government must address this issue and take action against individuals or groups causing confusion to restore the situation to normalcy. 2. Government agencies, including provincial governors, district officers, and central government bodies, must have clear measures in place for transporting oil to other provinces. They should have accurate information about gas stations, both privately owned and those purchasing oil for resale, before taking action. However, the transportation of oil exceeding normal prices or demand is causing chaos and confusion.

Mr. Sonthiya further stated, "3. He urged those overseeing the Department or Ministry of Energy to provide thorough explanations to the public, dedicating 1-2 times a day to clarify the true extent of Thailand's oil reserves, their duration, and how the government will maintain the current price." To be fair, the Oil Fund has currently subsidized almost all types of oil, amounting to approximately 14 billion baht. The fund has previously experienced a deficit of around 130 billion baht. He believes that by then, the situation in the Middle East would likely have stabilized within the next month, and the Oil Fund could recover the tax revenue. "It won't result in losses,"

Mr. Sonthiya reiterated, adding that today he was making three demands for the Prime Minister and relevant parties to implement stricter, clearer, and more organized measures. This would prevent further confusion and chaos regarding Thailand's current oil situation, and this isn't just a global problem it arises whenever there's a war. Finally, concerning the case of General Prayut Chan-o-cha, during his time as prime minister, and the establishment of friendly relations with Saudi Arabia after 33 years, and Saudi Arabia's desire to invest in the largest oil industry in Southeast Asia, he questioned why, 3-4 years later, those in charge of the Ministry of Energy or previous governments didn't implement policies regarding the oil refinery that Saudi Arabia was ready to invest in under General Prayut's administration. Even if it's not owned by Thailand, having the largest oil refinery would significantly contribute to Thailand's energy security.