Registration for fuel subsidies extended to ease costs during Middle East crisis

The Department of Land Transport (DLT) has announced an extension for transport operators using diesel and gasoline to register for financial assistance, aimed at mitigating the impacts of rising fuel prices driven by the ongoing conflict in the Middle East.

Transport operators now have until April 24 to register through the "DLT Prompt Support" system.

The measure is designed to alleviate the cost of living for the public by preventing immediate hikes in transport and logistics fees.

The Ministry of Transport accelerated these proactive measures due to the volatility in global crude prices.

Since registration opened on April 16, a massive influx of applicants has led to technical difficulties for some users.

Sorapong Paitoonphong, director general of the DLT stated yesterday that the department is acting on directives from the Ministry of Transport to ensure no eligible operator is left behind.

"In the first two days alone, over 26,000 eligible operators registered, covering a total of more than 116,000 vehicles," Sorapong said. "We acknowledge the initial stability issues with the online system and have since improved it. To ensure all entitled parties can apply, we are extending the deadline to April 24, including weekends."

Eligible operators of buses and trucks using only diesel or gasoline can apply for the subsidy through two main channels: online via the official website at https://tss.dlt.go.th/, which is available 24 hours a day, or in-person at Building 3, 1st Floor of the DLT, as well as at Provincial Transport offices nationwide.

The subsidy focuses specifically on vehicles running solely on diesel or gasoline, as these operators have been hit hardest by price fluctuations.

By providing this financial cushion, the government hopes to ensure that public transport and freight services continue uninterrupted, preventing a negative ripple effects on the national economy.

Under the established subsidy framework, eligibility is strictly determined by criteria set by the DLT, with financial aid calculated based on the actual duration of transport services provided once registration is successfully completed.

This relief measure is designed to be a short-term intervention, covering a specific 42-day window that runs from April 20 through May 31.

The DLT emphasised that this urgent intervention is crucial for stabilising the cost of consumer goods and maintaining people’s mobility people during this period of global energy uncertainty.