Fuel prices rise today as government freezes diesel price

Prices of all finished oil products, except diesel, will increase by 50 satang per litre from 5am today. Diesel prices remain frozen.

Transport Minister Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn said yesterday that the price of diesel will remain unchanged for the next six days, having been frozen since February 28, with the Oil Fuel Fund subsidising the price cap.

For products such as benzine, he said prices will be allowed to increase gradually.

Energy Minister Atthapol Rerkpiboon said the government will continue the freeze on the price of cooking gas (LPG) until May.

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul chaired a meeting yesterday to discuss the impact of the war in the Middle East on global oil supplies and prices, and what measures Thailand should adopt to mitigate them.

Present at the meeting were Transport Minister Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn, Finance Minister Ekniti Nitithanprapas, Energy Minister Atthapol Rerkpiboon, Secretary-General of the National Economic and Social Development Board Danucha Pichayanan, and senior finance and commerce officials.

The prime minister told the meeting that the government’s top priority is to mitigate the impact on the public while improving long-term energy resilience.

Amid uncertainty over energy security, he said the government is ready to roll out measures to enhance energy stability, secure additional oil and gas sources, and introduce energy conservation measures.

The Cabinet is expected to roll out conservation measures proposed by the Energy Ministry at a meeting on Tuesday. These will include working from home, switching off electrical equipment when it is unnecessary, and adjusting air-conditioning thermostats to 26°C or above.