Prime Minister Anutin confirmed that the Ministry of Energy is managing the situation and is responsible for securing additional oil sources after Iran began laying naval mines in the Strait of Hormuz. He declined to comment on the issue of Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet preparing to negotiate the return of territory from Thailand during Songkran.
At 10:00 a.m. on 11 March 2026, at the Jupiter 4-6 Room, Challenger Building, IMPACT Muang Thong Thani. Prime Minister and Minister of Interior Anutin Charnvirakul. Presided over the opening ceremony of the THAIFEX - HOREC ASIA 2026 trade exhibition, welcomed by Commerce Minister Supachai Suthempun. Upon arrival, reporters asked if he had recovered from illness. The Prime Minister flexed his arm muscles to show strength and smiled at the media.
Then, the Prime Minister opened the event and toured the exhibition booths. Reporters asked again if he had fully recovered. Anutin touched his throat, indicating soreness, then briefly said he had recovered. When asked if he was ready to answer reporters’ questions, he laughed and said he was still ill. Asked how long he would remain ill or if he would wait until after the parliamentary speaker vote to speak to the media, he chuckled, smiled, and said he just liked to tease. He explained that he had diarrhea yesterday from eating raw Japanese food.
Reporters asked if today's private lunch with Australian Ambassador Angela Jane Macdonald at the Government House would involve negotiations to buy oil. Anutin said the meeting had been scheduled for a long time. When asked again if they would discuss purchasing oil from Australia, the Prime Minister replied that all matters were being discussed.
However, before departing, reporters inquired about. securing additional oil sources following Iran’s announcement of laying naval mines in the Strait of Hormuz, which could complicate energy procurement. Anutin stated that the Ministry of Energy is responsible. Thailand does not buy from a single source but has a global network for oil procurement. Meanwhile, the Prime Minister did not respond to questions regarding Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet’s announcement to negotiate with Thailand for territorial return after Songkran, nor about the transfer of the Fourth Army Area Internal Security Operations Command to be under the Department of Provincial Administration, Ministry of Interior.