The Thai government continues to closely monitor the situation in the Middle East and reaffirms its commitment to implementing necessary measures to ensure the safety of Thai nationals, manage the cost of living, and maintain national energy security.

The Joint Management and Monitoring Center for the Situation in the Middle East on 20 March 2026 held a press briefing, delivered  by Mr. Panidone Pachimsawat, Acting Director-General of the Department of Information and Deputy Spokesperson of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs; Mr. Santi Nantasuwan, Deputy Permanent Secretary and Spokesperson of the Ministry of Labor; Ms. Kanitha Kungsawanich, Inspector General and Deputy Spokesperson of the Ministry of Commerce; and Mr. Wutthitat Tantivess, Deputy Director-General and Spokesperson of the Department of Energy Business, Ministry of Energy.

The Acting Director-General of the Department of Information and Deputy Spokesperson of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated that the situation in the Middle East remains severe and has expanded from military targets to continued attacks on critical infrastructure. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has urged Thai nationals to consider leaving high-risk areas as soon as possible, to closely follow official updates and advisories, and to register with the Royal Thai Embassies and Consulates-General responsible for their areas.

Regarding the case of one Thai worker who was killed in an explosion in Israel, the ministry is coordinating closely with the Israeli authorities to arrange for the repatriation of the remains to Thailand as soon as possible. It is also working with the Ministry of Labor to ensure that all related rights and compensation are duly provided. In addition, officials have continued to visit Thai workers in affected areas and conducting virtual consultations to check on their well-being. Thai workers remain in good morale. Since the onset of the situation, a total of 1,209 Thai nationals have been assisted to leave affected areas and return to Thailand or relocate to third countries.

The Deputy Permanent Secretary and Spokesperson of the Ministry of Labor expressed his deepest condolences to the family of the Thai worker who died in Israel. The worker, a resident of Chaiyaphum Province, was engaged in agricultural work cultivating potatoes. The Israeli forensic authorities will conduct an autopsy and repatriate the remains to Thailand within 3–5 days. 

The Inspector General and Deputy Spokesperson of the Ministry of Commerce stated that the Ministry of Commerce has instructed provincial commerce offices in all 76 provinces to closely monitor the cost of living and prevent opportunistic price increases. The ministry has also held discussions with nine major consumer goods producers and confirmed that stock levels remain sufficient and prices can be maintained for a certain period. It would continue to closely supervise prices and services while maintaining price stability and production costs, with the public interest as the priority.

The Deputy Director-General and Spokesperson of the Department of Energy Business, Ministry of Energy, stated that, as of 20 March 2026, Thailand’s oil reserves stood at 5,060 million liters, equivalent to approximately 41 days of consumption. Including oil in transit and confirmed imports amounting to 7,396 million liters, or approximately 63 days, Thailand has a total oil reserve of around 104 days.

Daily fuel consumption over the past 1–2 weeks had been higher than normal; however, as of 18 March 2026, diesel consumption declined to 54.79 million liters per day and gasoline consumption to 29.98 million liters per day, approaching pre-incident levels. The Ministry of Energy affirms that crude oil procurement from abroad continues as normal and that inspections of relevant businesses will be carried out continuously.