Bangkok:Energy Minister Ekanat Promphan has responded to criticisms from Korn Chatikavanij, deputy leader of the Democrat Party, over the proposed tax reduction on B20 and E20 biofuels. Chatikavanij and other party members voiced concerns that the low consumption of these fuels might not sufficiently alleviate public burdens, urging for structural solutions in oil pricing.

According to Thai News Agency, Ekanat emphasized the need for continued reform of the oil price structure, debunking inaccurate data on average fuel consumption in October. He clarified that the consumption figures were misrepresented, with B7 diesel usage at 52 million liters per day and B20 at 6 million liters per day, among other corrections.

Ekanat stressed that many vehicles are capable of using biofuels, which could enhance the use of domestic agricultural products like palm oil, sugarcane, and cassava while decreasing reliance on imported crude oil. He highlighted ongoing efforts to restructure oil prices, including auditing costs related to crude oil, transportation, insurance, and other expenses. These efforts aim to adjust the excess over the standard refining margin and gradually lower the ex-refinery price, as evidenced by a recent 4-baht-per-liter reduction.

The Ministry of Energy is also addressing hidden costs in the oil pricing structure, such as transportation, insurance, and "phantom reserves." A directive to remove these costs is being prepared, which could save over 10 billion baht annually. Ekanat reiterated that these measures are part of a structural approach to ensure fairness for consumers and to support biofuel producers. The Ministry of Finance is also considering the excise tax implications.