Prompong expressed concern over consumer confidence falling for two consecutive months, urging the government to reduce living costs as a New Year's gift. He pointed out that happiness begins with improved living standards, not merely well-wishes. He also praised Anutin for meeting protesters to hear their concerns about high fuel prices.
14 Nov 2026 GMT+7 Prompong Noparit Prompong Noparit, former spokesperson for the Pheu Thai Party, said a survey by the University of the Thai Chamber of Commerce showed the consumer confidence index dropped from 52.1 to 50.9 in October 2026, declining for two consecutive months. Confidence in both the current and next six months' economy also decreased amid worries about economic conditions, fuel prices, living costs, flood impacts, and political uncertainty. This is a warning sign the government should not ignore, as declining confidence may cause consumers to be cautious with spending, affecting retailers and grassroots economic recovery.
Prompong further stated, With the year-end shopping season and the 2027 New Year approaching, the government must urgently reduce living costs and revive purchasing power. Especially energy costs impacting transport sectors, farmers, merchants, laborers, and SMEs, so people have more money to spend and the economy circulates funds. This would be a tangible New Year's gift, as true happiness starts from improved living conditions, not just government well-wishes.
Regarding the People's Revolutionary Coalition to Protect the Land (PRCPL) group, or the Kamnan Mano protest group, which announced plans to march to the Energy Ministry on 16 November to demand lower fuel prices, Prompong said peaceful, unarmed protests are a constitutional right. The government should listen fairly, open dialogue to seek solutions together, and avoid letting differences turn into political conflicts.
Regarding Prime Minister and Interior Minister Anutin Charnvirakul's visit to meet and hear protesters at the Chamai Maruchet Bridge on the night of 13 November, Prompong considered this a positive government gesture deserving praise. Peaceful talks are the starting point for resolving issues, especially the protesters' demands to reduce refinery fuel prices by 10 baht per liter and to urgently address drug problems. The government should seriously study and consider implementing these measures.
Prompong added that the Energy Ministry and economic agencies should disclose results and progress of past fuel price relief measures, including retail price reductions, impact on transport costs, essential goods prices, and actual benefits to the public. They should review the feasibility of restructuring the entire fuel pricing system, including taxes, costs, refining fees, and marketing fees, considering fiscal impact and sustainability. Fuel price cuts must help lower living costs, not just reduce pump prices superficially.
However, the government must urgently restore purchasing power and not wait until after the New Year with people still burdened by the same costs. Good government actions should be supported; problems faced by the public must be quickly addressed. Economic hardship knows no political color or party. Problems affecting livelihoods must not be allowed to escalate into conflicts that jeopardize the country's economic future, as people's welfare should come before politics.