The Thai government today (26 March) addressed the ongoing fuel crisis, with Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Ekniti Nitithanprapas leading a joint press conference alongside the Energy, Commerce, and Transport ministries:

∙ Why the queues at gas stations?
There is no actual shortage — refineries are producing about 78 million liters per day, well above normal demand of 67 million liters. The chaos was caused by an unusual spike in demand that disrupted distribution. The fix: over 200 fuel traders and jobbers must now report daily stock and distribution data to the Department of Energy Business for full transparency.

∙ Global oil prices hitting hard
The ongoing US-Iran conflict is keeping prices volatile. Thailand's Oil Fund is subsidizing diesel by about TH฿4 (~US$0.12)/liter, but is now TH฿38 billion (~US$1.16B) in the red, bleeding TH฿1.7 billion (~US$51.9M) per day.

∙ Protecting cost of living
The Commerce Ministry is expanding price-controlled goods from 59 to 66 items — including instant noodles, canned fish, milk, shampoo, detergent, and bottled water. Price hikes now require prior approval. Report hoarding via hotline 1569.

∙ Financial relief measures
- Welfare cardholders get a TH฿100 (~US$3.05) top-up (TH฿300 → TH฿400 per month (~US$9.16 → US$12.21)) for one month
- TH฿10 billion (~US$305 million) soft loans via Government Savings Bank for SMEs
Possible excise tax cuts on fuel under consideration

∙ Transport sector support
Targeted subsidies for trucks, buses, and motorcycle taxis — paid directly via PromptPay based on actual GPS-tracked fuel usage. Dedicated fuel points for public transport ahead of Songkran.