Nevertheless, since Thailand exports a portion of petroleum products at lower prices than distribution prices in the country, domestic consumers should benefit from the cheaper export prices. Currently, oil refineries have, at intervals, given discounts to oil traders; the latter will then deduct such discounts from their domestic distribution prices in certain areas. If the decrease in distribution prices can be expanded nationwide through a permanent decrease of ex-refinery prices to be close to export prices, consumers will be benefited as a whole.