The fallout from the Middle East war caused turmoil as the Oil Fund Management Committee (OFMC) announced a midnight fuel price hike of 6 baht per liter on the night of 25 March. The Cabinet held a special meeting to approve seven urgent measures to help citizens cope with the high fuel prices. Phiphat unveiled targeted assistance measures for the transport sector, supporting fuel costs up to 6 baht per liter. Over 110,000 Rider vehicles will receive 300 baht per vehicle per month in expense support, starting from 1 to 30 April.
Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Transport, explained the assistance measures addressing the impact of rising fuel prices on the transport sector, focusing on vulnerable groups affected in terms of goods prices and public travel. The Ministry of Transport has considered support measures based on actual operations tracked via GPS and other monitoring systems during 1–30 April 2026, dividing assistance into two main groups.
Data from the Department of Land Transport's GPS system shows an average daily operation of 31 million kilometers, with an average fuel efficiency of 4 kilometers per liter, estimating total fuel consumption at about 7.8 million liters per day. The government will subsidize fuel costs at 6 baht per liter for this group.
The Ministry aims to support this group to reduce logistics costs for consumer goods transportation and prevent price increases that would affect the cost of living for the public.
The Ministry aims to support this group to stabilize fare prices and encourage public transport use, easing travel costs for the public, especially during the Songkran festival.
Phiphat added that the government will pay subsidies based on actual mileage tracked by the Department of Land Transport's existing monitoring systems, not flat-rate payments. Operators without GPS systems will have QR codes placed on their vehicles to tag data for tracking actual service and expenses.
Regarding mass transit systems like the Transport Company Limited (Baw Kaw Saw) or affiliated buses operating interprovincially, the Ministry confirms there will be no fare increases during Songkran. Fares will remain based on a fuel cost baseline of 33 baht per liter, with the government compensating for any fuel price differences starting 1 April to ensure stable travel costs for the public.
Additionally, the Ministry has loosened regulations on fuel reserves and promoted diesel B20 to prevent shortages. Coordination has been made to reduce mandated fuel reserves according to the law, increasing fuel circulation. A special-priced diesel B20 for transport will be launched, priced about 5 baht cheaper per liter than regular diesel to reduce operating costs.
“This is the first announcement, focusing assistance specifically on vulnerable groups. As for non-regular buses or tourist buses, we are currently coordinating with the Ministry of Tourism to determine balanced figures and develop appropriate support formulas,” Phiphat said.
Furthermore, the Ministry of Transport has set up a War Room to closely monitor fuel price developments and their impact on transport costs. Any operator found exploiting the situation by raising prices beyond legal limits will face the highest penalties immediately. For more information, contact the Department of Land Transport hotline at 1584.
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