Senator Nantana criticized the government as incompetent and handling the high oil prices incorrectly, challenging the Prime Minister’s claim that oil stocks are overflowing but questioning why Thai people still have to pay expensive fuel. She pressed for urgent tax reductions on three fronts and declared that the government must stop running the country to enrich capitalists at the public’s expense.
At 11:00 a.m. on 27 Oct 2026 GMT+7. Ms. Nantana Nantawaropas, a member of the Senate. In a press statement at the parliament about the soaring fuel prices that contrast with low wages and cause expensive goods, she said the government’s approach is cyclical and fails to provide a sustainable solution. Currently, diesel prices at gas stations have reached 43.50 baht per liter, affecting the cost of living for all citizens, with prices rising across all expenses. Alarmingly, on 15 December, toll fees will also increase. Additionally, there is public concern about possible rises in electricity costs and value-added tax. All these burdens fall on the people, while wages remain stagnant, and many still face unemployment due to AI replacing jobs. Overall, the public bears these costs, but the government is addressing the problem in the wrong way.
"The Prime Minister says we have excess oil stocks and plans to find ways to export them. Even though supply exceeds demand and prices should fall, why do citizens still pay high fuel prices? The government has never tackled this sustainably. I therefore propose the government reconsider how to reduce oil prices by reviewing the three taxes included in fuel: excise tax, value-added tax, and local maintenance tax. At the same time, the government could raise funds to help citizens with fuel prices by imposing windfall taxes on refineries and increasing taxes on oil companies that earn huge profits, as their stock prices have soared above all other market indices. I call on the government to generate revenue from these groups instead of squeezing taxes from the public or leaving the entire burden on citizens. The government must stop managing the country to enrich capitalists—it’s unbearable for the public. The government must urgently solve the oil price problem."