The Energy Minister is preparing to propose a reduction in oil and electricity prices in order to reduce the cost burden for the people. Ready to open up the import of refined oil to allow people to find energy at a fair and appropriate price.
Mr. Peeraphan Saleerathaviphak, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Energy Gave an interview about ways to reduce energy prices according to government policy. Especially when Mr. Settha Thavisin, Prime Minister, clearly announced the said policy. In fact, this policy is already an important policy of the Ruam Thai Sang Chart Party and he informed the meeting with the Pheu Thai Party at the government policy meeting on August 30, 2023, so it is a vision. It is a good sign that will bring benefits to the people, not just the price of energy but also other living expenses as well. Because energy is the cost of producing consumer products. Reducing the price of energy to a reasonable and fair rate is therefore truly beneficial to the people.
In this regard, he, in his capacity as the Minister of Energy, has already specified this policy in the government policy that will be announced to the House of Representatives as well and is confident that when the policy matches both the government policy and the policy of the Ruam Thai Sangchat Party that His own responsibility will make this policy more concrete and faster.
Mr. Peeraphan further said that there are main issues regarding the implementation guidelines regarding energy prices. What needs to be expedited is the price of oil and the price of electricity, which have many price components such as taxes and marketing costs. Regarding financial obligations and loans and many other matters that come together Some elements are uncontrollable, such as the cost of natural gas to produce electricity. or the cost of crude oil prices, etc. But what can be considered is The structure and components that come together to form the selling price of these energies. You will have to see which parts can be cut out. or can be reduced, all will be done and when costs are reduced The prices of various types of energy can be reduced. in order to be appropriate and fair to the people
At the same time, we are also considering the issue of ultra-cheap oil prices for certain groups of people, such as currently fishermen. Can buy oil called green oil at a special price, therefore it is seen that the same should be done with other groups as well, such as farmer groups, etc.
The Energy Minister went on to say that another important policy, he believed, should be to provide free opportunities to find refined oil. That is not importing crude oil into the refinery to cause costs. Expenses that are difficult to control But if it is using refined oil that There is no need for a distillation value. or other expenses Because every price has already been calculated. And if anyone can bring in cheap energy It should be given the opportunity to do so. The government should be the one to oversee and ensure that energy procurement is convenient and fast. It's not about laying down rules until they can't be done.
Mr. Peeraphan also said that in the past, even though he worked in the law But there is an interest in Thai energy. and have always studied and searched for information about energy Thailand's oil in particular has an interesting history and I learned about energy from my father, Lieutenant General Narong Saleerathaviphak, former Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Economic Affairs. (Currently the Ministry of Commerce) and the Director General of the Military Energy Department. Assigned by Field Marshal P. Phibunsongkram and Field Marshal Sarit Thanarat to explore and drill for oil in the northern region of Thailand.
Until they discovered an oil field in Fang District, Chiang Mai Province, they were able to drill for oil and build the first oil refinery in Thailand to refine that crude oil. until success by In addition to supplying oil to government agencies They can also sell cheap oil to the public. This led to the establishment of the Samthahan gas station. At present, the Fuel Organization of the Military Energy Department and Sam Thahan Gas Station have been transformed into the Petroleum Authority of Thailand and are now PTT Company Limited.
“The source of energy in Thailand has two issues: national security and finding cheap oil for the people to use. Therefore, I think that the mission of the government and the Ministry of Energy today It is not a matter of doing the oil business, but a matter of creating energy security for the country and finding energy for the people at a fair and appropriate price. As for the business operations of the companies involved, it is his business, not the ministry's. But the Ministry of Energy is responsible for supervision. Let competition be fair and correct and give opportunities to the general public. Have access to find energy, find oil, find fuel to use freely. Must not block, must provide opportunities to make the price lower. It is a cost reduction. Because energy is a cost in life, if this cost can be reduced The cost of living will decrease accordingly. Therefore, I think that this is the mission of the Ministry of Energy. It is not a business,” Mr. Peeraphan said. .
Source: Thai News Agency