BANGKOK, Thailand – Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance Ekniti Nitithanprapas has confirmed that Thailand maintains sufficient crude oil reserves to last 96 days.
The Deputy Prime Minister made the statement at the March 15, 2026, meeting of the Joint Management and Monitoring Center for the Situation in the Middle East, chaired by Prime Minister and Minister of Interior Anutin Charnvirakul at Parliament House. The meeting reviewed developments in the Middle East and assessed potential impacts on Thailand’s fuel supply.
The Deputy Prime Minister stated that major oil traders have confirmed the country’s oil reserves are sufficient to meet domestic demand. However, authorities have identified challenges with fuel transportation and service capacity at petrol stations due to increased demand.
To address these issues, the government has introduced a three-part strategy focused on communication and efficiency. Fuel stations have been instructed to inform the public that supply remains stable to prevent panic buying and restore confidence. The Ministry of Energy will also develop a real-time digital dashboard to display fuel availability by region, enabling citizens to check local stock levels and plan refueling.
The government is also working to identify alternative refueling sources for the industrial sector. By creating separate supply channels for industry, the Ministry aims to reduce congestion at public stations and ensure private citizens have priority access. The Prime Minister has acknowledged these proposals, and a formal announcement on their implementation is expected shortly. (NNT)
