Akkaradej advises the government to fix the issue by making Jobber prices equal to pump prices and proposes injecting budgets for Songkran events in every area to reduce travel.
On 25 March 2026, Mr. Akkaradej Wongpitakrot, Member of Parliament for Ratchaburi province from the Bhumjaithai Party, spoke at the House of Representatives during an urgent motion. He urged the House to consider strategies to handle the crisis caused by the Middle East war impacting Thailand. He said the reason fuel runs out quickly at pumps is not due to a domestic shortage but because of a large price gap: the retail pump price is about 33 baht, while the wholesale Jobber price is 42 baht.
"When Jobber prices are higher than pump prices, industries, transport, trucks, and tractor-trailers avoid buying through Jobbers and instead queue at stations to fill up, competing with the public. The government must fix this so Jobber prices equal pump prices. Additionally, there's the problem of 'green oil' used by fishermen, which currently costs more than land fuel, forcing fishing boats to request fuel from the shore, worsening the fuel shortage. Otherwise, even if fuel arrives early morning, by 11 a.m. it’s already gone," he said. Mr. Akkaradej said.
Mr. Akkaradej expressed support for Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Transport Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn, who has faced social media criticism as if he were the energy minister, despite only chairing the Center for Economic Situation Administration (CESA).
Mr. Akkaradej proposed that the government inject budgets for Songkran celebrations at the district and local levels in their own areas, so people don’t have to drive far to places like Chiang Mai, Phuket, or Pattaya. This would help citizens save expenses and reduce fuel consumption. Personally, he organized the “Songkran Ban Pong” in Ratchaburi province, held for the first time in collaboration with local authorities, to encourage locals to celebrate nearby, easing congestion and lowering overall energy use.