Parit revealed that the People's Party is concerned about overlapping crises facing northern residents, including energy, economy, and PM 2.5 dust pollution, which have not dissipated with Songkran. He declared that the opposition is ready to scrutinize every government step to protect the people's interests.
At 13:23 on 15 April 2026 GMT+7 Mr. Parit Watcharasindhu Member of the House of Representatives (party-list) and spokesperson for the People's Party posted a message viaFacebookregarding the "crisis upon crisis" in Phrae province and the North, saying that yesterday (14 April 2026) he joined Songkran activities and listened to people's concerns in Phrae together with Mr. Supachot Chaisat, party-list MP of the People's Party, and Ms. Laksanaree Duangdadam, MP for Phrae District 3 from the People's Party. While pleased to see the smiles of people enjoying the festivities, he fully understands the people's worries about the overlapping crises northern residents face, which will not disappear with the Songkran festival.
The first crisis is the “energy crisis” which has escalated into an economic crisis. According to voices from Phrae residents, rising fuel prices have significantly affected decisions about traveling during Songkran. Officials at public service points and vehicle inspection checkpoints in Long district, Phrae, reported that travel statistics in the past 2-3 days have dropped to one-quarter or one-third compared to the same period last year. This aligns with feedback from people at traditional events and youth council representatives in discussions, who noted a clear decrease in the number of people returning home to Phrae. However, a major event in Phrae is scheduled for 17 April 2026, which will provide more data on the province’s situation.
Parit further stated that the People's Party will continue to perform its role in scrutinizing and advising the government to prepare for an expected worsening economic situation after Songkran. Regarding the "high fuel price" problem, they will keep investigating the government's plans to adjust pricing structures and urge the government to implement assistance and relief measures for vulnerable groups that are more comprehensive and proportionate than those approved in the Cabinet meeting on 11 April.
As for the "fuel shortage" issue, the party remains unconvinced, since fuel shipments stuck in the Strait of Hormuz before the war are nearly depleted. Given the war's volatile situation, the government must take more serious measures to incentivize energy conservation. Beyond fuel, many problems persist—such as fertilizer, plastic pellets, electricity costs, and general product prices—that the government must proactively address.
The second crisis is the "PM2.5 dust pollution" issue, which affects public health. Beyond short-term fixes, the public is closely watching the government's stance on the Clean Air Management Act draft, which has been pending in parliament since the previous session. The government has roughly one month left (before 12 May 2026) to decide whether to confirm sending the bill back to parliament for consideration.
Although MPs from various parties have repeatedly questioned the government on this during last week's policy debate, there has been no clear response from the Prime Minister or definitive position from the Cabinet, aside from assigning relevant ministers and agencies to review and submit opinions to the Secretariat of the Cabinet by 24 April.
"As I concluded during the policy debate before Songkran, now that we have a government with full authority, we in the opposition will continue to act as a 'shadow'—monitoring, observing, and scrutinizing every government move to protect the interests of people nationwide, especially as we face the risk of stagflation (economic slowdown combined with high inflation) impacting all citizens."