Thailand’s Ministry of Transport plans to issue a regulation to prevent arbitrary fare increases by public transport providers, including taxis and ride-hailing services. Transport Minister Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn announced this move on Wednesday, part of measures discussed to address the impact of the ongoing Middle Eastern conflict on Thailand's economy. The initiative aims to stabilize transport costs amid potential price hikes in consumer goods.
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The announcement follows a special meeting conducted by Finance Minister Ekniti Nitithanprapas, focusing on the ramifications of the Middle Eastern war. Ekniti assured that Thailand has sufficient oil reserves to cover up to 60 days of domestic needs and indicated efforts are ongoing to diversify oil supply sources. Concerns over potential price surges in consumer goods were addressed, with plans for the Internal Trade Department to enforce anti-profiteering laws.
In response to the potential economic impact, Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul tasked the Foreign Ministry with coordinating inter-ministerial efforts and committing to providing daily public updates. These updates aim to keep the populace informed until the situation normalizes. The government's proactive stance highlights its priority in maintaining economic stability and consumer protection, reported Thai PBS.
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Adapted by ASEAN Now · Thai PBS · 05 Mar 2026