기관, 공사비 산정용 경유 가격 상한선 인상

The Comptroller General's Department has raised the diesel price ceiling used in calculating reference prices for public construction projects to no more than 69.99 baht per litre, in order to reflect the rising costs of government construction works resulting from the war in the Middle East.

The Comptroller General's Department has raised the diesel price ceiling used in calculating reference prices for public construction projects to no more than 69.99 baht per litre, in order to reflect the rising costs of government construction works resulting from the war in the Middle East.

According to Patricia Mongkhonvanit, director-general of the department, the committee responsible for determining reference prices under the Comptroller General's Department has revised the diesel price ceiling embedded in the formula for calculating the median (reference) price of public construction projects.

The previous ceiling had long been set at no more than 50.99 baht per litre. However, the current energy crisis has caused diesel prices to rise to nearly the same level as the established ceiling.

The committee therefore recently approved an increase in the diesel price used in the calculation formula to no more than 69.99 baht per litre.

In addition, the committee secretariat has been instructed to prepare contingency studies in the event that the diesel price needs to be set at 100 baht per litre.

She added that the increased diesel price ceiling is intended as a preventive measure to ensure that the diesel price component -- one of the factors used in setting the reference price for government tenders -- does not disrupt procurement calculations amid volatile oil prices.

The formula for calculating reference prices for public construction projects will continue to use the actual prevailing diesel price at the relevant time.

"These measures will help ease the burden on contractors undertaking government projects. If nothing is done at this stage, all operators will incur losses. We want to help sustain them and avoid project abandonment," Ms Patricia said.

In addition, the Comptroller General's Department has issued guidelines to mitigate the impact on counterparties contracting with state agencies during the conflict in the Middle East.

To further alleviate the impact on government suppliers and contractors affected during this period, the committee overseeing public procurement and supplies administration has issued practical guidelines.

In cases where the contract has not yet been signed, but the winning bidder has already been selected (ranked 1–3), and the government agency has notified the winner to sign the contract from Feb 28, 2026 onwards, yet the winner is unable to do so due to the impact of the conflict in the Middle East, such circumstances shall be deemed to constitute reasonable grounds and shall not be regarded as contract abandonment.

The government agency shall also return the bid security to all bidders who submitted proposals.

In cases where the contract has already been signed, if the contract was signed before Feb 28, 2026, but performance has not yet commenced, or if it was signed before or on or after Feb 28, 2026, and performance has commenced but cannot be completed within the contractual timeframe, the situation that has arisen shall be deemed to constitute force majeure.

In such cases, fines may be waived or reduced, or the contractual period may be extended. The contracting party shall also be exempt from the requirement to notify the government agency of the cause within 15 days, and may instead notify the agency at any time.

In addition, if the contracting party considers that performance under the contract should be suspended until the situation has improved, the parties may negotiate and agree on such suspension as necessary and appropriate.

In cases where the contract was signed on or after Feb 28, 2026, but performance has not yet commenced, the government agency may consider mutually agreeing to terminate the contract.

In the case of procurement or service contracts other than construction works, if the cost of materials, equipment, or the scope of work to be carried out has increased as a result of the conflict in the Middle East, and the government agency considers it necessary for performance under the contract to continue, the contract may be amended accordingly.

Mrs Patricia said that any contracting party affected by the conflict situation in the Middle East should submit a written notice to the relevant government agency that is party to the contract, explaining the nature of the impact suffered.

Such notice should include details of the relevant facts and supporting documents demonstrating that various operating costs have increased and that there is a shortage of materials required for performance, resulting in the inability to continue performing under the contract.

This will enable the government agency to use such documents as supporting evidence for further consideration, she said.