• 
• 

Benzene consumption increased by 0.2 per cent over the same period from 18.017 million litres per day in July to 18.050 million litres, a rise for the first time in three months.

Oil expert Manoon Siriwan said this proves that Thais are failing to embrace the concept of energy efficiency. It shows the failure of the Samak government in encouraging people to consume less by choosing to cut oil excise tax to appease voters as part of its poverty assistance programme. The programme, including waivers for tap water and the reduction of electricity bills, was seen as a government effort to score points ahead of the expected election - even though it was clear that the Samak government was unlikely to stay in office for long.

The excise-tax cut marks another short-term populist policy that could have a long-term impact on the economy. Thais have failed to learn how to change their consumption behaviour as the government uses tax money to subsidise fuel prices.

This populist policy aside, the Samak government also implemented other short-term measures such as the approval of air-conditioned buses, in spite of warnings about the inflated value of the project, and the planned import of low-grade Russian gasoline, which has drawn strong criticism from the public.

The new prime minister, whoever that is, should learn from the mistakes of the Samak government. Although political pundits expect the new government to stay only a few months before calling an election, we just hope it does not introduce short-term policies to serve political purposes at the expense of the national interest.