Press Briefing by the Joint Management and Monitoring Center for the Situation in the Middle East, 17 March 2026, at 11.05 AM

Thailand Evacuates 1,116 Nationals from the Middle East, Confirms 101 Days of Oil Supply

Mr. Panidond Pachimsawat, Acting Director-General of the Department of Information and Deputy Spokesperson of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, provided an update on the ongoing situation in the Middle East. He noted that the tensions continue as several countries have declined to join the United States in efforts related to the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz.

In this regard, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has urged Thai nationals in high-risk areas to evacuate as soon as possible and closely follow updates and guidance from Thai embassies and consulates in the region.

As of 16 March 2026, a total of 1,116 Thai nationals have been evacuated from the Middle East, including 20 crew members from a cargo ship that was recently attacked.

Regarding the recent Special ASEAN Foreign Ministers’ Meeting on the situation in the Middle East, the ministers discussed both short-term and long-term collective responses to potential impacts. The discussions focused on utilizing existing ASEAN mechanisms on petroleum and energy development, while also enhancing cooperation in trade, finance, and logistics. The Philippines, as the current ASEAN Chair, has called on all parties to pursue diplomatic solutions through dialogue and negotiation.

On Thailand’s domestic energy situation, Mr. Sarawut Kaewtathip, Director-General of the Department of Energy Business, confirmed that the country currently has sufficient oil reserves to meet domestic demand for at least 101 days.

Thailand has six oil refineries capable of producing up to 175 million liters of refined oil per day for domestic consumption. However, due to a recent surge in fuel demand, some service stations have experienced temporary delays in fuel deliveries.

The Ministry has therefore coordinated with major oil traders and relevant agencies to improve the efficiency of fuel distribution to service stations nationwide. It is also working with the Ministry of Interior and the Ministry of Commerce to monitor the situation closely and prevent fuel hoarding or opportunistic practices during this period.