Bangkok: Thanaporn points out that the Prime Minister cannot handle it alone and advises all agencies to urgently go to the affected areas and overhaul communication systems to cope with the oil crisis and political pressure.
According to Thai News Agency, Associate Professor Dr. Thanaporn Sriyakul, an academic and political analyst, commented on the energy situation amidst the Middle East crisis, stating that the government is currently in a defensive position, despite having a large amount of information at hand. The main problem is not a lack of information, but rather the insufficient and ineffective implementation of practical measures.
Assoc. Prof. Dr. Thanaporn stated that the Prime Minister has done his part, which includes issuing policies to control oil prices, regulating businesses, forming special task forces to arrest hoarding gangs, ordering oil retailers to urgently release reserves, and controlling commodity prices. All of these were issued as orders, like giving people a sword to execute. However, expecting the Prime Minister to personally inspect stores would be excessive. His primary role should be overseeing overall policy, while the agencies with direct responsibility must take more rigorous and comprehensive action.
'Inspecting only about 2,000 shops nationwide, averaged across 77 provinces, amounts to only about 30 shops per province. This is far too low and may not reflect the true situation on the ground. Furthermore, the limited reporting format, relying solely on documents, is insufficient to effectively address public panic. More needs to be done. Field visits are crucial, and anyone found violating the law must be arrested. This needs to be taken seriously, demonstrating to the public that the government is not neglecting the issue and allowing people to be exploited. This is not the time for superficial measures or handicap efforts,' Assoc. Prof. Dr. Thanaporn stated.
Furthermore, it was suggested that when the government has energy data, such as daily fuel receipts and consumption figures from gas stations, it should disclose such data to the public so that people can accurately assess the situation, reduce panic, and boost confidence.
In the dimension of communication, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Thanaporn believes that the government needs a complete overhaul, focusing on transparency, clarity, and greater public participation. Currently, political parties, especially the opposition, have begun using digital tools to allow citizens to report on the situation in their areas, making it necessary for the government to adapt proactively.
Furthermore, it was stated that all sectors of the government and supporting political parties should play a collaborative role, especially by utilizing the network of MPs in the area to help report the actual situation and continuously communicate energy information to the public.
"The Prime Minister cannot handle the situation alone. Every component must work together. If the work is still concentrated in the hands of one leader, allowing the leader to act as a buffer while the leader remains comfortable, they risk finding themselves in a difficult situation," Assoc. Prof. Dr. Thanaporn concluded.