"Democrat Party” Announces Stance on Using Digital Technology to Address Current Price Rising Issue

Today (23 March) 11:00 AM at the Democrat Party headquarters Dr. Kardee Leowpairoj, a list MP from the Democrat Party; Mr. Korn Chatikavanij, a list MP and Deputy Leader of the Democrat Party; and their team held a press conference regarding the use of digital technology to address the current problem of rising commodity prices.

Mr. Korn Chatikavanij stated that the issue of access to fuel is a significant problem. This morning, the party investigated gas stations in the provinces, particularly in the South, which is experiencing a particularly severe shortage. They found that the amount of fuel supplied to gas stations was significantly lower than normal, by more than half. The public still does not have enough fuel for their needs. The government claims that there is sufficient crude oil, sufficient refinery capacity, and full refining capacity, but where has the fuel gone? He believes the government has not provided a clear answer to the public. However, it is clear that all gas stations nationwide reported that the fuel depots supplied less than the normal quota. Therefore, he urged the government to urgently investigate the entire supply chain to determine what happened and communicate this clearly to the public.

Mr. Korn further stated that, in addition to fuel prices, the public is concerned about the impact on commodity prices and the cost of living, as fuel is a crucial cost. The government, particularly the Department of Internal Trade under the Ministry of Commerce, should control price gouging and identify which goods need price increases to address public concerns promptly. They should also assess the necessity of price increases for certain goods. Recently, the Director-General of the Department of Internal Trade announced a list of goods subject to price controls; a review is needed to determine if the public is truly suffering from the impact of these goods. However, there are still no clear measures in place to protect the public regarding liquefied petroleum, fuel, chemical fertilizers, and medicines.

Regarding the question of whether the 50% reduction in fuel deliveries to gas stations can be investigated, Mr. Korn stated that this is verifiable. He noted that the current situation places a significant burden on both businesses and the public. Gas station operators are unable to explain to the public why fuel is scarce, while the government claims hoarding is the reason. The public knows this is incorrect, as there are restrictions on purchasing more than 500 baht per person. Gas station operators report receiving less than half the normal amount of fuel, raising questions about its whereabouts. The Ministry of Energy has not provided any clarification on this matter.

Regarding the discovered hoarding in Ang Thong and Mae Sot provinces, he requested transparency to alleviate public anxiety. Accurate information will help ease concerns. "We've gone through a crisis, and we understand that the energy crisis is global. However, the turmoil is concentrated only in Thailand, reflecting a mismanagement of policy. This is the frustration of the people," Mr. Korn said.

When asked if this reflected a lack of public trust in the government, Mr. Korn said he didn't want to draw any conclusions. He added that the public is dissatisfied with the government's management and communication strategies for addressing the oil and energy shortages. He further stated that the issue of electricity prices will be the next point of contention. The Democrat Party has submitted an urgent motion for a parliamentary debate on the energy crisis and its impact on the public, including commodity prices and other factors. He hopes the parliament will be used effectively for the benefit of the people on 25 March.

Regarding the issue of the "mystery person" who was caught at the oil depot in Ang Thong province, Mr. Korn responded that if they were arrested, they wouldn't be considered a "mystery person." Mr. Korn said the government can trace every drop of oil, from the crude source to the refinery and then onward. He questioned why there are still questions and debates, believing someone is trying to conceal information. However, the government has the power to find the truth, and he urged clearer communication to alleviate concerns. And to reduce some social conflicts.

Dr. Kardee Leowpairoj stated that the prolonged conflicts abroad directly impact energy prices and production costs, leading to the current price increases of consumer goods. The Democrat Party therefore proposes a solution by launching the “Watch Out” platform, a digital tool that will shift the role of citizens from being affected parties to “joint monitors” and reflect problems in real-time through Civic Engagement mechanisms.

“We believe in the power of data and the voices of the people. The ‘Watch Out’ platform, in addition to being a map reporting commodity prices, can also serve as an early warning sign, allowing us to detect abnormal price increases and hoarding of goods promptly at every point across the country,” Dr. Kardee said.

Dr. Kardee further stated that the initial version of the platform, with its intelligent map dashboard, is complete and ready for integration with the party's Line OA for easy public access. It can be tested at https://liff.line.me/2009555163-09I8zuzR And tomorrow (24 March), there will be a meeting with the party's development team (Tech Lab) to conduct another detailed system test (walk-through) before the official launch.

Dr. Kardee further stated that the key data from this platform will be analyzed to determine targeted support policies, especially for low-income groups, SMEs, and farmers who have been most severely affected. The Democrat Party has good intentions in opening the API connection so that relevant government agencies can use the data to control and monitor commodity prices, ensuring transparency and maximizing benefits for the public.