The People's Party announced its proposals on the oil crisis relief measures, noting that the immediate aid is too limited, with only an additional 3 billion baht budget, which still does not cover the fishing sector and plastic pellet producers. The party demands transparency on fertilizer quantities and prices nationwide to prevent opportunistic profiteering.
On 11 April 2026 at the Future Building, Mr. Weerayut Kanchuchat, Deputy Leader of the People's Party, along with Ms. Sirikanya Tansakul, Deputy Leader, and Mr. Decharat Sukkamned, Policy Director, held a press conference presenting the party's proposals on relief measures to alleviate public impact from rising energy prices, following a special Cabinet meeting after the policy address to Parliament.
Mr. Weerayut stated that the relief measures to ease the immediate hardship from the oil crisis are long-awaited by the public. Although the total budget approved is 7.7 billion baht, the detailed breakdown shows only about 3 billion baht is for immediate assistance. The remaining 4.7 billion baht is budget reallocation originally not allocated for State Welfare Card holders in fiscal year 2026.
Regarding groups receiving assistance, several key sectors remain excluded, such as fishermen who have been unable to fish, causing seafood shortages, and upstream producers like plastic pellet manufacturers, which affect supply chains including packaging, paint, construction, and others.
Among the detailed relief measures, most support is directed toward government contractors in construction, allowing contract amendments, adjustments to account for diesel prices up to 69.99 baht per liter, or contract cancellations with refund of deposits. The People's Party calls on the government to give equal detailed attention to other groups.
Mr. Decharat noted that the core agricultural production costs involve two main factors: chemical fertilizers and fuel, which account for about 40-50% of total production costs. The current measures provide only partial relief in these areas.
Regarding rising fertilizer prices, the government plans to provide assistance through the Green Flag fertilizer program, limited to 5+1 sacks per farmer, increasing the subsidy from 200 baht to 300 baht per sack. However, the program historically covers only about 1% of farmers’ fertilizer needs. Although Deputy Prime Minister Suphajee Suthumpun mentioned plans to expand the program, no details on the scale were given. The People's Party proposes expanding coverage to all farmers to enable them to use the subsidy as intended by the government.
Mr. Decharat added that there are no fuel-related relief measures for the fishing and agricultural sectors, with support limited to transportation and public transit. The People's Party wants clear fuel assistance measures for fishermen, farmers, and agricultural machinery operators, whose costs include land preparation for the rainy-season rice crop starting late April to early May, as well as harvest activities.
Concerning fertilizer shortages, although Suphajee tried to explain discrepancies in figures between August, April, and May, no clear numerical data has been provided. Chemical fertilizers are controlled goods, and the Ministry of Commerce already holds data on fertilizer quantities. This data, including imports and stocks in warehouses and retail outlets, should be made public. The ministry also knows the authorized fertilizer prices and should disclose them so the public can report overpricing. Transparency will help prevent the confusion experienced previously with fuel price issues, which also threatens fertilizer supply.
Mr. Decharat said that although State Welfare Card holders receive an additional 100 baht per month, about 40-50% of the poorest 20% of the population do not have these cards. Assistance for this group is crucial. The government should provide more detailed measures, such as emergency educational funds for students with tuition constraints during the crisis, and emergency loans for vulnerable households, which should be implemented urgently and clearly.
Ms. Sirikanya stated that most of the budget and funds used in this round of measures do not directly aid the public facing immediate hardship but address government internal issues. The Pracharath Fund's budget for fiscal year 2026 was set at only 30 billion baht, while normally it requires about 50 billion baht annually. This shortfall led to depletion of the fund mid-year and required reallocating 4.7 billion baht from the central budget to maintain the initial 300 baht living cost subsidy, without which even the first 300 baht aid would be unavailable, let alone the additional 100 baht.
All of this reflects the government's current budget and fiscal problems, clearly insufficient even for regular expenditures. Thus, the limited relief measures for vulnerable groups do not proportionally address the public's hardship or cover increased living costs.
Ms. Sirikanya added that Deputy Prime Minister Ekniti Nitithanprapas mentioned that new budget sources will come from the approved 2027 fiscal year budget calendar. However, there is still no plan for funding the remainder of fiscal year 2026. Previous policy addresses and press briefings mentioned issuing a budget act or possibly a decree to expedite processes, but after her parliamentary debate, it was clarified that there will be no decree, only a budget transfer act instead.
Therefore, she expects the next Cabinet resolution to establish criteria on which budgets will be cut or maintained, as the fiscal year time is running short. Previously, the Comptroller General's Department issued a letter urging agencies to complete budget disbursements by 30 April, meaning any unspent budget by then will be reallocated to the central fund for urgent use.
Ms. Sirikanya said the government must take this Cabinet resolution seriously. Although the remaining funds available for transfer will gradually diminish, making the 50 billion baht target harder, the government must urgently find other budget sources to address immediate public hardships. Otherwise, citizens will continue to endure inadequate relief measures disproportionate to their difficulties.