Retail diesel prices will be capped at 30 baht a liter till the end of April, Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-Ocha told reporters after a cabinet meeting in Bangkok on Tuesday. Beyond April, the government will only subsidize 50% of any increase in prices as the Southeast Asian nation is facing a high fiscal burden, he said.
“We are now dealing with health and war issues. It’s a double whammy,” Mr. Prayuth said. “The government is working hard to help as many people as possible so that we survive this twin crisis.” The cabinet also ordered government agencies to find ways to help farmers who are hit by rising costs of fertilizers and animal feed ahead of the new planting season, Prayuth said. The foreign ministry will coordinate efforts to secure fertilizer and other supplies with other countries, he said.• Increasing cash assistance for cooking gas purchase to 100 baht a month from 45 baht for 3.