“Abhisit” says Govt should tackle energy costs, Not rely on loan decree

Today (On April 22, 2026), at Parliament building, Mr. Abhisit Vejjajiva, leader of the Democrat Party, remarked on the government's proposal to issue an emergency decree for loan, noting that they must wait for the government to explain their intentions for spending the funds. However, the Democrat Party has always prioritized government cost management as much as feasible. He stated that excise taxes and refining margins might still be drastically cut. The more the government assists in this sector, the less the need for downstream spending, which he believes is a good strategy for all parties. If loan is utilized to provide help, it is important to determine which groups are best suited. However, 5 baht reduction in refining margins would benefit all citizens, not just those who drive cars directly. While transportation costs have decreased, it's understandable that raising the public debt ceiling might be necessary given the current fiscal situation. Therefore, he'd like to hear the government's clear plan to control debt escalation and identify ways to generate revenue.

He also noted that he met with Mr. Ekanat Phnompan, the Minister of Energy, and verified that if the refining margin could be decreased by 2 baht in March (from 7-8 baht) and then increased to 14-15 baht this month, it might be cut even further. He asked the administration to speed up the process, as their strategy is to wait and watch before adopting actions. He wants to introduce a specific fee structure, often known as a "windfall profit tax," to reflect the current situation. He wants the government to manage costs as soon as possible in order to reduce the burden and impact on the general population.

Photo : Annie