Preventing Fare Hikes and Tightening Control Across All Systems: Phiphat Orders War Room to Monitor Middle East Crisis

The Ministry of Transport holds discussions to establish a center for close monitoring of the situation, closely watching tensions in the Middle East, strictly controlling fares across all systems, and banning increases beyond legal limits to ease the public's burden.

Mr. Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Transport, revealed that following directives from Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul for all agencies to prepare measures to handle the regional tension in the Middle East, which could impact global energy prices, the Ministry of Transport, led by Permanent Secretary Chayatham Promso, has consulted with related agencies to urgently establish measures to protect the public, especially by controlling public transport fares to prevent increases beyond the legal limit.

Mr. Phiphat stated that the Ministry of Transport has set up a Situation Monitoring Center (War Room) to closely track the impact of unrest in the Middle East and oversee all transport operators to prevent fare or freight charge increases beyond the legal framework. They have also requested service providers to maintain fare rates while the government continues to cap domestic diesel prices.

In this regard, orders have been given to affiliated agencies including the Department of Land Transport (DLT), the Department of Rail Transport (DRT), the Marine Department (MD), and the Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand (CAAT), to urgently implement measures closely in each transport system.

• For land transport, inspections and strict enforcement will ensure that buses, public vehicles, and all hired vehicles charge fares strictly according to legal rates.
• For water transport, operators of passenger and cargo vessels will be monitored to prevent charging fees beyond the set rates, along with close tracking of international freight rates.
• In air transport, airlines will be regulated to set passenger and cargo charges in accordance with the law, including consideration of fare stabilization measures during volatile situations.
• For rail transport, risk assessments will be conducted regarding energy costs, especially for diesel-fueled locomotives, to prepare proactive risk management strategies.

Mr. Phiphat added that the Ministry of Transport has also instructed all agencies to collect data on energy use in the transport sector and continuously report the situation to the Transport Surveillance and Warning Operations Center (TSWOC) to prepare for adequate fuel procurement for public services and to study assistance measures for operators if the situation prolongs and affects the transport system.

"The government prioritizes caring for the public above all. The Ministry of Transport will oversee to prevent any fare increases beyond legal limits and closely monitor the situation to ensure that public transport services continue fairly and without interruption," Mr. Phiphat said.

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