The Prime Minister held an urgent meeting on energy to address the Middle East situation, ordering measures to protect the public and affirming Thailand's adequate oil reserves and that the natural gas situation remains not worrisome.
On 9 March 2026 at 15:00, in the Green Room of the Thai Kufa Building at Government House, Anutin Charnvirakul, Prime Minister and Minister of Interior, chaired an urgent meeting to monitor the energy situation amid rising tensions in the Middle East and to establish measures to mitigate impacts on Thailand. Attendees included Deputy Prime Ministers and ministers such as Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn, Minister of Transport; Anek Laothamatas, Minister of Finance; Atthapol Rerkpiboon, Minister of Energy; Danucha Pichayanan, Secretary-General of the National Economic and Social Development Council; Lawan Sangsnit, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Finance; Wutthikrai Leewiraphan, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Commerce; along with other relevant agencies.
The Prime Minister stated that the escalating conflict in the Middle East has impacted global crude oil supply and maritime transport, causing energy prices in world markets to rise. This may affect the cost of living for citizens and increase economic costs for the country. Therefore, the government must closely monitor the situation and promptly implement measures to minimize potential effects on the people.
He emphasized that the government prioritizes citizen welfare, directing all relevant agencies to prepare comprehensive measures, including energy management, price stability, and cost of living support. These measures must not add burdens to the public, while also strengthening the country's long-term energy security (Energy Resilience).
At the meeting, the National Economic and Social Development Council reported the latest developments in the Middle East region and the projected impacts on the global and Thai economies. They also proposed energy management strategies and measures to help ease the cost of living for the public. The Prime Minister assigned the Council to coordinate and integrate the plans of all agencies to enable unified and comprehensive government energy management.
The Ministry of Energy reported on the gradual enhancement of strategic oil reserves, confirming that Thailand currently has sufficient total oil reserves.
Regarding natural gas, the supply remains adequate and not concerning. Additional energy management plans are being prepared, such as increasing electricity production from other energy sources like coal and hydropower, to strengthen the country's energy system security.
The Prime Minister reiterated that amid global energy market uncertainties, the government will closely monitor the situation and is ready to implement necessary measures to maintain energy stability, including diversifying oil and natural gas import sources and enforcing energy-saving measures as needed. He affirmed that all policy actions aim to minimize impacts on the Thai people.