3 Groups Protest Oil Price Hikes to Energy Minister Ekanat

MGR Online•Politics•2d ago

Reader Briefing

Consumer groups are set to protest alleged collusion between the Oil Fund Committee (COES) and refineries for unfair oil pricing, accusing them of exploiting the public.

•Three public organizations will meet with the Minister of Energy, Ekanat Promphan, on April 16, 2026.
•The groups allege collusion between the Oil Fund Committee and refineries to manipulate oil prices.
•They criticize the pricing strategy as 'elevator up, staircase down', disproportionately harming consumers.
•The meeting aims to demand a transparent and fair energy price structure.

Overview

•On April 16, 2026, three public organizations are scheduled to meet the Minister of Energy at the Ministry of Energy at 10:00 AM in order to submit grievances.
•Three public organizations, including the Consumer Council, Foundation for the Watchful Land, and People's Reform Network for Thai Energy (CPPP), will meet Minister Ekanat Promphan.
•Rosana Tositrakul claims that the Oil Fund Committee (COES) and oil refineries are colluding in a price manipulation scheme, resulting in consumer exploitation.
•The organizations criticize the oil pricing mechanism as 'fast elevator-like price increases and slow staircase-like price decreases,' which they argue is unfair to the public.
•The alleged price manipulation directly impacts the public, leading to financial burden and an unfair energy cost structure.
•Rosana Tositrakul previously criticized the disparity between rapid price hikes on March 26, 2026, and the slow price reductions around Songkran, suggesting it benefits refineries.
•The organizations have invited the public to join the activity and follow the discussions at the Ministry of Energy on April 16, 2026.
•Ms. Rosana emphasized the need for transparent and fair pricing, calling for government oversight to ensure public benefit.

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Key Quotes

Rosana Tositrakul

"The retail oil price reduction announced yesterday (April 10), effective this morning at 5 AM, is called a 'staircase down' reduction and a break for Songkran. Yet, when prices increased on March 26, all types rose by 6 baht per liter instantly, as fast as an elevator, unlike the gradual reduction. Why is the standard different?!"

การประกาศลดราคาขายปลีกน้ำมันเมื่อวานนี้ (10 เม.ย) ที่มีผลตี 5 เช้าวันนี้ เรียกว่าลดราคาแบบขั้นบันไดแล้วหยุดพักช่วงสงกรานต์ ทั้งที่ตอนขึ้นราคาเมื่อ 26 มีนาคม กลับขึ้นราคารวดเดียวลิตรละ 6 บาททุกชนิด รวดเร็วประดุจขึ้นลิฟต์ ไม่แยกแยะชนิดน้ำมันเหมือนตอนลดราคา ทำไมมาตรฐานแตกต่างกัน ??!!

Rosana Tositrakul

"The delay in reducing oil prices on April 10 was a gradual decrease and a break for Songkran. However, on March 26, prices rapidly increased by 6 baht per liter across all types."

การชะลอการปรับลดราคาน้ำมันเมื่อวันที่ 10 เม.ย.ที่ผ่านมา เป็นการทยอยลดและหยุดช่วงเทศกาลสงกรานต์ ขณะที่ก่อนหน้านี้เมื่อวันที่ 26 มี.ค. กลับมีการปรับขึ้นราคาน้ำมันรวดเดียวถึงลิตรละ 6 บาทในทุกประเภทอย่างรวดเร็ว

Key Entities

Person

Ekanat Promphan(เอกณัฏ พร้อมพันธุ์)

Minister of Energy, who is also the chairman of the Oil Fund Committee. The complaining organizations will meet with him.

Rosana Tositrakul(รสนา โตสิตระกูล)ℹ️

Former Senator for Bangkok, quoted extensively in the article for her criticism of oil pricing and her role in organizing the protest.

Organization

Consumer Council(สภาผู้บริโภค)

One of the three public organizations participating in the meeting with the Minister of Energy to protest oil prices.

Foundation for the Watchful Land(มูลนิธิยามเฝ้าแผ่นดิน)

One of the three public organizations participating in the meeting with the Minister of Energy to protest oil prices.

People's Reform Network for Thai Energy (CPPP)(เครือข่ายประชาชนปฏิรูปพลังงานไทย (คปพ.))

One of the three public organizations participating in the meeting with the Minister of Energy to protest oil prices.

Oil Fund Committee (COES)(กบน.)

The committee accused of colluding with refineries to manipulate oil prices, allegedly exploiting the public.

Oil Refineries(โรงกลั่น)

Entities accused by Rosana Tositrakul and consumer groups of colluding with the Oil Fund Committee to inflate oil prices unfairly.

Place

Ministry of Energy(กระทรวงพลังงาน)

The location where the three organizations are scheduled to meet with the Minister of Energy on April 16, 2026.

Timeline

April 16, 2026(16 เม.ย. 2026)

The date when three organizations will meet with the Minister of Energy to officially lodge their complaint about oil prices.

March 26, 2026(26 มี.ค.)

The date when oil prices saw a significant, rapid increase of 6 baht per liter, contrasting with the slow decreases later.

April 10, 2026(10 เม.ย.)

The date of a gradual oil price reduction that was noticed and criticized as being slow and timed around the Songkran festival.