Fuel-saving ideas
Re: "PM apologises for fuel 'chaos'", (BP, March 28).
The Anutin government is scrambling to adjust to the reality of an unwelcome war triggered by Israel and the USA against Iran. Many countries are facing similar challenges due to the sudden inflated cost of petrol.
But some countries have tried to respond aggressively to diminish the impacts.
For example, in two states of Australia, public transport is being made free to incentivise people not to drive. This has two benefits: (1) fewer cars consuming oil (2) less traffic in already congested cities. If free, public transport will now appeal to many that preferred using their cars before.
Another creative idea? In Egypt, shops, restaurants and cafes have been told to close at 9pm each day, while street lights and roadside advertising is being dimmed, but hotels and tourist attractions are exempt.
Not enough? To conserve fuel, Sri Lanka has declared Wednesdays as public holidays for government institutions such as schools and universities. Combined with "working from home", these two measures alone are saving many oil barrels.
Another old idea, that has been considered here but never implemented: Myanmar is enforcing a rule in which private vehicles can run only on alternate days, depending on whether their licence plate is an odd or even number. Electric vehicles are exempt.
If none of these light suggestions bear fruit, it will be time to drastically impose petrol rationing, although this will be unpopular.
And citizens shall obviously minimise non-necessary usage of their vehicles, although this may be a pipedream; but Mr Anutin shall demonstrate his leadership by taking steps to alleviate a dire situation and this before the Siamese fuel reserves are exhausted!
