Oil subsidies only good in the short term

The Thai government's support for diesel prices will not hide the fact that we must learn to live with higher costs

Poonpirom Liptapanlop, the Energy Minister, has sent a strong signal that it is time for Thai people to learn to live with the era of high oil prices.

The oil prices are beyond anybody's control, as oil is the most important global commodity. Although the government may be able to provide some relief, at the end of the day, the Thai people must learn to cope with the high prices on their own.