Bangkok: A coalition of 14 Thai civil society groups has petitioned the government through the public complaints center at Government House for urgent energy price relief, warning that soaring living costs are driving households into severe debt amid Middle East tensions.

According to Thai News Agency, the coalition is demanding immediate cuts to fuel and electricity rates, alongside strict price controls on essential consumer goods. Somyot Pruksakasemsuk, an activist leader, accused the government of poor communication and a lack of clarity regarding oil reserves. While government officials attribute the shortages to consumer panic-buying, the civil groups argue that hoarding and market speculation are the actual drivers.

The groups further alleged that domestic refineries generated 21.6 billion baht in profits over an 18-day period by referencing locally refined oil against Singapore market rates. Meanwhile, the price of oil refined domestically in Thailand continues to be pegged to Singapore benchmarks.

To ease the burden, the alliance is urging the government to scrap fuel excise taxes and lower refinery margins, which they say could slash petrol prices by 11 baht per liter. They are also calling for electricity rates to be cut to 3 baht per kilowatt-hour, a price freeze on cooking gas, and fuel subsidies for delivery riders and transport workers.