The Government is accelerating the supply of oil into the market to address shortages at petrol stations caused by surging demand, in response to the order by Prime Minister Anutin Charvirakul, while improving public communication on the situation.

The Prime Minister on 21 March 2026 ordered a temporary relaxation of oil reserve requirements, postponing the planned increase in reserves and maintaining them at around 1 percent, allowing reserved oil to be released immediately into the system. Oil traders and refineries have also been instructed to accelerate supply to the market.

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Transport Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn explained that the current oil situation is not due to a shortage but a sharp increase in demand. Thailand’s oil consumption has risen from about 67 million liters per day to 82–84 million liters per day, and at times even higher. Although oil is continuously supplied to stations, demand in some areas temporarily exceeds deliveries. All refineries and oil traders are operating at full capacity, with some exceeding 100 percent refining efficiency to accelerate supply.

Permanent Secretary for Energy Prasert Sinsukprasert stated that the Government has strengthened transparency by requiring over 200 oil traders to report daily data on oil receipts and sales to the Department of Energy Business. Authorities from the Ministry of Energy, the Ministry of Commerce, the Ministry of Interior, and the Royal Thai Police are jointly inspecting fuel stations and oil depots. Any stockpiling or refusal to sell available oil will be treated as a violation of the law.

Meanwhile, Minister Attached to the Prime Minister’s Office Supamas Isarabhakdi on 23 March 2026 chaired a meeting with media representatives to discuss better public communication on the Government’s response to the escalating tensions in Middle East conflict. She pointed out that the Government is concerned about impacts of the Middle East situation on Thailand’s energy, its economy, and the safety of Thai nationals abroad. 

In order to address public concerns, Minister Supamas stated that the Government is expediting fuel distribution and encouraging energy-saving measures, while preventing hoarding and unjustified price hikes to reduce the effects on people’s daily life and business costs. As for the safety of Thai nationals, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs is coordinating evacuations and providing support to those in high-risk areas.

The Minister emphasized the Government’s readiness to listen to the views of the media and all sectors of society, saying that accurate information must be disseminated to the public to reduce panic among the people. She stated that cooperation between the public sector and the media would help restore confidence and strengthen social stability, so that Thailand would be able to get through the ongoing crisis smoothly.