Bangkok: Deputy Prime Minister Pakorn Nilapraphan disclosed that a special cabinet meeting, presided over by Anutin Charnvirakul, led to significant energy measures, including setting specific opening and closing times for gas stations after the Songkran festival. Additionally, civil servants will be permitted to work from anywhere three days a week as part of these measures.

According to Thai News Agency, the Cabinet instructed the Ministry of Energy to continue its study of refinery costs as part of an ongoing effort to manage energy resources efficiently. This directive follows a proposal by Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance, Ekniti Nitithanprapha, who serves as the chairman of the Committee on Studying the Appropriateness of Fuel Price Costs (CCTR). The proposal urged the Prime Minister to use his authority under the Fuel Shortage Prevention Act of 1973 to mandate a comprehensive review of refinery costs.

Despite the cabinet's directives, no decision was reached regarding the reduction of refining margins. The Ministry of Energy has been tasked with further investigation to determine appropriate adjustments. These measures reflect the government's commitment to addressing fuel pricing and availability concerns in the post-Songkran period.

However, the meeting discussed using the powers under the Emergency Decree to impose additional measures to prevent fuel shortages, such as setting opening and closing times for gas stations and allowing civil servants to work from home and from anywhere three days a week to reduce travel. The measure setting opening and closing times for gas stations will be implemented after Songkran.