The Democrat Party criticized the government for repeatedly failing to resolve high fuel prices, creating debt burdens for the public. They expressed shock that the oil fund deficit has surged to 100 billion baht. They recalled that relying on a "lucky medallion" will not help if there is no genuine intent to solve the problem.
On 12 Sep 2026 GMT+7 at the Democrat Party headquarters, Ms. Siripha Intawichian, Deputy Spokesperson of the Democrat Party, said that on the Prime Minister’s birthday, she sincerely hopes the PM will devote more time this year to serving the people by managing government affairs for the public good rather than serving energy sector interests. This is especially crucial as the public faces a crisis of high fuel prices, severely impacting the economy and livelihoods.
Ms. Siripha continued that in the first half of the year, oil refinery groups made profits exceeding 80 billion baht, while the government’s Revenue Department announced VAT collections exceeded estimates by about 2%, equivalent to 40–50 billion baht. This increased revenue came mainly from VAT on oil imports and energy businesses, showing that even the government benefited from the energy crisis. Yet ultimately, the public still faces high fuel prices and must bear the burden of an oil fund deficit exceeding 80 billion baht.
The Deputy Spokesperson added that global crude oil prices have risen, and although pump prices in the country have not yet increased, refinery prices have already gone up because the government has nearly doubled subsidies. This approach is a cycle of "compensation upon compensation" that creates long-term debt burdens for the public. The Democrat Party has repeatedly proposed solutions, especially immediate excise tax reductions and imposing a windfall tax on excess refinery profits to create discounts. This could immediately reduce fuel prices by up to 9 baht per liter without incurring new debt to fund subsidies.
“I sincerely hope the Prime Minister will genuinely address the high fuel price problem this time instead of traveling around the country for birthday celebrations. If he has no intention to fix this for the people, I must say that the 'lucky medallion' he wears will ultimately not help him at all,” Ms. Siripha said.
Meanwhile, Mr. Pongsakorn Khwanmuang, Democrat Party spokesperson, added that the party has been proposing solutions to the oil fund problem for six months, including imposing a windfall tax, exempting excise taxes, and negotiating with refineries to adjust refinery margin formulas to prevent excessive profits. This aims to fairly distribute burdens among refineries, energy businesses, and the public, instead of allowing refineries to earn excessive profits while the public bears the high fuel prices.
Mr. Pongsakorn further said the oil fund deficit currently stands at about 85 billion baht and is projected to reach 100 billion baht next month because subsidies cost about 2.5 billion baht weekly. The question is where the government will get the money to pay, as the 400 billion baht loan authorization is expiring. The first 200 billion baht tranche ends this month, and the second 200 billion baht tranche has no allocated budget for oil fund subsidies, as the government plans to use it for energy transition projects like solar farms. He said he will present further concerns soon.
“I urge the government to listen. While officials may have fuel allowances because they are ministers, the Prime Minister, or government officials, the public must pay for fuel themselves with no reimbursements. Importantly, whether the government uses the oil fund or loans, the debt is borne by the people, not just the government. So please consider the people,” said the Democrat Party spokesperson.