“Anutin” Confirms No Fuel Hoarding, Reiterates Price Freeze for 15 Days

Today (4 March ) 11:25 AM at the Anti-Money Laundering Office (AMLO), Prime Minister and Minister of Interior Anutin Charnvirakul gave an interview regarding public concerns about the impact of the conflict in the Middle East and the resulting fuel hoarding. He stated that the Ministry of Energy and he have confirmed that the price of diesel fuel, a factor with both positive and negative impacts, will be frozen for at least 15 days. Therefore, there is no reason to hoard fuel or consumer goods. The Ministry of Commerce is monitoring the situation to prevent consumer exploitation. Hoarding fuel is dangerous. Storing it at home might be fuel. There's no need to do anything like that today

When asked by reporters whether some gas stations had already raised fuel prices, Mr. Anutin said Which gas stations have raised prices? The government has confirmed that PTT Public Company Limited has stated they will not raise prices. This is the right of the people. If anyone raises prices illegally, we will take action. But today we have a point of comparison. For example, if a gas station raises prices, but PTT says they won't, then people can fill up at PTT

When asked about Shell raising fuel prices by 4 baht, Mr. Anutin retorted But they've already lowered prices, haven't they ? They lowered prices this morning

Regarding how to alleviate public anxiety, given that the government says energy reserves may only last 60 days, Mr. Anutin said We are doing everything possible. Yesterday, concerns about commodity prices were addressed with various measures. The price freeze on fuel is a measure and policy implemented by the Ministry of Energy to prevent hardship for the public. We are also fully assisting people in the Middle East affected by the problems and are closely monitoring the situation because we consider our citizens our relatives. We can be concerned about their difficulties, but we must not panic. Anxiety and other related matters should be handled by the government.