Senator Naraseth urges the government to promptly clarify the oil reserve situation, posing seven tough questions on who benefits from the crisis.
At 9:00 a.m. on 17 March 2026 at the parliament, Senator Naraseth Prachyakon addressed Thailand's oil situation, calling for clarity on oil stockpiles, management, and communication with the public during this crisis. He said many citizens are worried about the nation's fuel reserves, evident from long queues at gas stations and some stations limiting or even running out of fuel. There is also unclear information from authorities. The Prime Minister and government should transparently and straightforwardly clarify facts to build public confidence and prevent panic. Key questions the government should answer include: 1. What is the actual amount of oil reserves in Thailand? The figures mentioned range from 60, 90, to 100 days’ supply. Do these numbers include stocks held by the state, refineries, and oil traders?
2. If Thailand does have reserves at such levels, why has it become difficult for people in some areas to find fuel in less than a month? Where are these reserves held, who controls them, and how quickly can they be accessed in an emergency?
3. After the government announced a 15-day fuel price cap, what measures are in place to prevent hoarding, delaying sales, or profiteering by businesses during this crisis?
4. What is the mechanism for deciding to release the country's oil reserves? Who has the authority to make this decision, and under what conditions must the state use its reserves to stabilize the market?
Senator Naraseth added: 5. Is Thailand’s current oil import situation normal? Are there transportation route limitations or refinery capacity constraints causing supply tightness?
6. If the crisis extends beyond 15 days or one month, what plans does the government have for managing oil stocks, prioritizing oil use, and mitigating economic and public impacts?
7. What is the current status of the Oil Fuel Fund? Does it still have sufficient capacity to maintain energy price stability, and for how long? In a crisis, if the public lacks confidence in the information provided, panic, hoarding, and misunderstanding arise. Historically, the hardest hit are the people, while profiteering often benefits vested business interests who sometimes announce record profits from hoarding after the crisis ends.
Given the hardships faced by the public, I urge the government to promptly and transparently disclose the country's oil situation and maintain ongoing communication with the public so citizens can confidently manage this situation with accurate information.