The issue of heightened product prices has become a major point of contention at this week’s general debate in Parliament. The Opposition alleges that expensive products and low wages resulted from cost mismanagement. The prime minister, meanwhile, asserted that inflation has taken hold worldwide and prices have thus increased.
Prime Minister Gen. Prayut Chan-o-cha asserted that price increases of products came about in tandem with heightened inflation worldwide. Price rises are not limited to Thailand, where the inflation rate was 1.2% in 2021. In comparison, Japan’s inflation rate was 2.6%. The premier asked that critics be fair with the government and take into consideration circumstances in the global market. However, Gen. Prayut acknowledged that prices of some products have risen beyond what the costs justify. He noted the government will be implementing measures to remedy heightened product prices, while it works to keep inflation from exceeding 3%.
The prime minister said the government tried its best to reduce the burden that high fuel and energy prices have on people. He said 33 billion baht from the Oil Fund was used in 2021 to subsidize oil prices. Furthermore, the Oil Fund contribution rates were adjusted and borrowing has been made to prop up the fund’s liquidity.
Gen. Prayut cited the Co-pay program as one of the measures issued to reduce people’s expenses. He asserted that Co-pay was implemented to lessen people’s food and beverage bills and expenses incurred from buying consumer staples. He said purchases may be made at registered sellers and vendors, not at outlets operated by tycoons as alleged by some parties.(NNT)
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