The government is being urged to adjust its energy price subsidy programme by focusing on businesses and households who are in dire need of help rather than implementing a broad subsidy.
The proposal was made on Monday by Sontirat Sontijirawong, former energy minister and co-founder of newly established Sang Anakhot Thai Party, as he wants the government to better manage the Oil Fuel Fund, now running on a low budget.
If the government becomes more selective in helping afflicted people, it would be able to save more money and use it for other necessary projects.
Authorities are using the fund to cap diesel prices at below 30 baht a litre as well as subsidise prices of liquefied petroleum gas, which is used as cooking gas, and compressed natural gas, which is also used in the transport sector.
Effective budget management is crucial as uncertainties remain in the…
