Transport Ministry Seeks Aid: Suspend Social Security Contributions, Fuel Cost Support

Matichon•Politics•1d ago

Reader Briefing

The transport sector seeks government assistance, including a 6-month suspension of social security contributions, while expressing gratitude for recent fuel cost subsidies.

•The transport sector is requesting additional government relief, specifically a 6-month suspension of social security contributions.
•The government is providing financial support for fuel costs to 460,000 transport vehicles for 42 days.
•This fuel subsidy aims to stabilize service costs and prevent negative economic impacts.
•The sector thanked the government for current fuel price support, acknowledging its limitations but appreciating the effort.

Overview

•Minister of Industry Varawut Silpa-archa discussed energy-saving industrial product measures during the energy crisis.
•The Ministry of Industry is preparing proactive measures to help entrepreneurs reduce production costs and ensure raw material stability.
•Minister of Industry Varawut Silpa-archa emphasized promoting biofuel usage, targeting increased palm oil blends in diesel and enhanced ethanol use from sugarcane byproducts.
•Government support for fuel costs will be provided to 460,000 transport vehicles from April 20, 2026, to May 31, 2026.
•The total budget for the fuel subsidy program is 2,060 million THB.
•The fuel subsidy is intended to prevent increases in tour bus and factory employee transport service fees, thereby protecting the overall economy and tourism.
•Waraset Soponhattanathorn, advisor to the Thai Transport Operators Association, thanked the government for recognizing the difficulties faced by the sector.
•The association proposes the government exempt or reduce social security contributions for employers and employees for 3-6 months as a long-term solution.

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Source: Matichon (Original)

Key Quotes

Waraseth Soponhattanathorn

"This measure is only a short-term plan with limited budget. In the long run, the government and private sector must work together to find sustainable solutions."

มาตรการนี้เป็นเพียงแผนระยะสั้นตามงบประมาณที่มีจำกัด แต่ในระยะยาวภาครัฐและเอกชนต้องหันหน้าเข้าหากันเพื่อหาทางออกที่ยั่งยืน

Waraseth Soponhattanathorn

"The association proposes the government consider using the Social Security Fund mechanism to reduce costs by exempting or reducing contributions from both employers and employees for 3-6 months."

ทางสมาคมมีข้อเสนอเพิ่มเติมให้รัฐบาลพิจารณาใช้กลไกกองทุนประกันสังคม เข้ามาช่วยลดภาระค่าใช้จ่ายด้วยการยกเว้นหรือลดการส่งเงินสมทบทั้งในส่วนของนายจ้างและลูกจ้าง เป็นเวลา 3-6 เดือน

Key Entities

Person

Varawut Silpa-archa(นายวราวุธ ศิลปอาชา)

Minister of Industry who discussed energy-saving industrial product measures and biofuel promotion.

Waraseth Soponhattanathorn(นายวสุเชษฐ์ โสภณเสถียร)

Advisor to the Thai Transport Operators Association who thanked the government and proposed suspending social security contributions.

Organization

Ministry of Industry(กระทรวงอุตสาหกรรม)

Government ministry preparing measures to help entrepreneurs reduce production costs and promote energy saving.

Thai Industrial Standards Institute (TISI)(สำนักงานมาตรฐานผลิตภัณฑ์อุตสาหกรรม (สมอ.))

Organization setting a target to increase the number of energy-saving standard products by at least 40 items.

Thai Transport Operators Association(สมาคมผู้ประกอบการรถขนส่งทั่วไทย)

Organization representing transport operators that thanked the government for fuel subsidies and proposed suspending social security contributions.

Government(รัฐบาล)

The governing body providing financial support for fuel costs to the transport sector.

Social Security Fund(กองทุนประกันสังคม)

Fund proposed by the transport association to be used for reducing labor costs by exempting or reducing contributions.