The Ministry of Energy is discussing with a major global gas producer to prepare for a prolonged Middle East crisis, assuring the public there is no need to panic as energy supplies will be adequate.
On 14 March 2026, Mr. Attaphon Lerkpiboon, Minister of Energy, led a team from the Ministry and PTT to enhance maximum energy security by meeting with the major U.S. liquefied natural gas (LNG) producer, Cheniere Energy Inc., to increase supply volumes and advance delivery schedules to mitigate potential impacts from a prolonged Middle East conflict.
During discussions with Mr. Anatol Feygin, Chief Commercial Officer of Cheniere Energy Inc., an agreement was reached to increase the LNG delivery volume under the existing contract to Thailand from 1 million tons per year to 1.3 million tons per year, ensuring long-term fuel security for the next 15 years until 2041.
Beyond increasing volume, Mr. Attaphon also negotiated to expedite the shipment schedule, moving deliveries from the third quarter of 2026 to the second quarter of 2026, to prepare for possible disruptions in transport routes and global energy prices due to the Middle East situation. Cheniere has fully agreed to implement this adjustment.
Mr. Attaphon emphasized that the government has prepared comprehensive measures to support the public, including negotiating alternative gas and oil sources from other regions to replace Middle East supplies, increasing oil reserves, temporarily suspending exports, using the oil fund mechanism to ease living costs, promoting biofuel use, and seriously encouraging energy conservation.
“I assure the people that the Ministry of Energy has prepared plans on all fronts. We will definitely overcome this crisis,” Mr. Attaphon concluded.