The Joint Management and Monitoring Center for the Situation in the Middle East on 15 March 2026 at 13.15 hr provided a press briefing summary on the country’s energy situation amid ongoing tensions in the Middle East.

The briefing was delivered by Mr. Ekniti Nitithanprapas, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance, together with Mr. Sarawut Kaewtathip, Director-General of the Department of Energy Business; Mr. Kongkrapan Intarajang, Chief Executive Officer and President of PTT Public Company Limited; M.L. Peekthong Thongyai, Chief Executive Officer of PTT Oil and Retail Business Public Company Limited; Ms. Oraphan Na Chiangmai, Chairperson of Shell Company of Thailand Limited; Mr. Pitak Ratchakitprakarn, Chief Executive Officer and President of PTG Energy Public Company Limited; and Mr. Phumin Harinsut, Vice Chairman of the Thai Chamber of Commerce.

Mr. Ekniti Nitithanprapas stated that the special meeting of the Joint Management and Monitoring Center on 15 March considered the potential impacts of tensions in the Strait of Hormuz, which remain uncertain. The key priority for the Government is to ensure the stability of the country’s oil supply. The Ministry of Energy has confirmed that Thailand still has sufficient oil reserves to meet domestic demand for no less than 96 days.

In this regard, the Prime Minister invited executives from energy companies and oil traders, as well as representatives from the private sector and the Thai Chamber of Commerce, to join the meeting to exchange information and build public confidence. All parties reaffirmed that the country’s oil supply remains sufficient for public consumption, and that gas stations nationwide are continuing to operate as usual.

Mr. Sarawut Kaewtathip, Director-General of the Department of Energy Business, stated that the department and provincial energy offices nationwide have inspected oil reserves in storage facilities across the country, covering 53 depots and 589 tanks. The inspection found that there are approximately 1.4 billion liters of commercial oil reserves and about 3.4 billion liters of mandatory legal reserves, equivalent to around 39 days of supply.

In addition, there are oil shipments currently being transported to Thailand, equivalent to about 27 days of supply, as well as additional contracted supplies equivalent to about 30 days. In total, Thailand therefore has sufficient oil reserves for at least 96 days.

However, in recent days there has been a significant increase in fuel demand due to public concern, which may have caused some service stations to face temporary delays in fuel deliveries at certain times. The Prime Minister has therefore instructed the Ministry of Energy to coordinate with relevant agencies to expedite fuel transportation and improve the efficiency of distribution management, ensuring that the public will have sufficient access to fuel.

Mr. Kongkrapan Intarajang, Chief Executive Officer and President of PTT Public Company Limited, stated that PTT has a crude oil procurement network from multiple regions around the world and has already prepared contingency plans to handle emergency situations. The company is able to source crude oil from alternative suppliers that do not pass through the Strait of Hormuz, such as the United States, West Africa, and Latin America. He also affirmed that PTT’s refineries, which account for more than 60% of the country’s total refining capacity, are still able to operate at full capacity.

Meanwhile, M.L. Peekthong Thongyai, Chief Executive Officer of PTT Oil and Retail Business Public Company Limited, stated that PTT is still able to manage fuel supplies as usual. Fuel is being continuously transported to service stations to meet public demand. Although some stations may have temporarily run out of fuel due to the rapid increase in demand in recent days, the company has expedited transportation management to ensure that fuel can be continuously supplied to service stations.

Ms. Oraphan Na Chiangmai, Chairperson of Shell Company of Thailand Limited, stated that the company sources fuel both domestically and through imports from overseas, and that supplies remain sufficient. Service stations experiencing temporary fuel shortages for only about 2-3%, and most cases are due to transportation constraints. The company will expedite management of fuel distribution to ensure that service stations can continue providing fuel without interruption.

Mr. Pitak Ratchakitprakarn, Chief Executive Officer and President of PTG Energy Public Company Limited, stated that oil traders are ready to cooperate with the Government in overseeing the country’s energy situation. He affirmed that fuel shortages are not an issue at present and oil traders will ensure that there is sufficient fuel available for the public. As for fuel price adjustments, they will be carried out in accordance with the Government’s policy.

In addition, representatives from other oil trading companies, such as Susco and Caltex, affirmed in the same direction that there is sufficient fuel supply available for sale and they are ready to cooperate with the Government in managing service stations nationwide to continuously meet public demand. Although some service stations may have temporarily run out of fuel in recent days due to higher-than-usual demand, efforts are being made to ensure continuous supply.