The Center for the Administration and Monitoring of the Situation in the Middle East (ศบก.) has approved upgrading the B7 diesel product to B10 and introducing B20 diesel for direct sale to the industrial and agricultural sectors. Diesel prices will be adjusted effective tomorrow, 18 Mar 2026, with a ceiling not exceeding 33 baht per liter. E20 gasoline prices will decrease by 0.79 baht per liter, while gasohol 95 will increase by 1 baht per liter.
On 17 March 2026 at the Government House, Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Transport, stated after the Center for the Administration and Monitoring of the Situation in the Middle East (ศบก.) meeting that refinery and oil depot prices will be announced, with a gradual shift from B7 to B10 diesel and the introduction of B20 diesel for transportation use. However, B20 will not be sold at service stations but only wholesale to support industries such as transport, manufacturing, and agriculture, as jobbers delivering fuel must bear transportation costs.
Energy Minister Atthapol Rerkpiboon confirmed that Thailand has crude oil reserves of 2 million barrels from the Republic of Angola and another 700,000 barrels from the United States, enough for 101 days of use. Refineries have been prohibited from exporting crude oil. Yesterday, a meeting with operators was held, where refineries pledged to operate oil depots 24 hours daily for tanker trucks, which will be designated vehicles exclusively for fuel transport. The supply is adequate for normal use, but panic buying has doubled demand. Cooperation was requested from the Ministry of Interior, Ministry of Transport, Bangkok Metropolitan Administration, and traffic police to ease restrictions on fuel transport vehicles to alleviate station congestion. The public is urged not to hoard fuel and to use and purchase in normal amounts to restore stability promptly.
Regarding diesel prices, the cap has been fixed at no more than 30 baht per liter. The plan is to gradually raise B7 diesel prices without a sharp increase to avoid burdening the public, setting the ceiling at 33 baht per liter, as Malaysia’s price has already risen to 32 baht. Starting tomorrow, diesel prices will increase by 0.50 baht per liter, with further adjustments as needed, but not exceeding 33 baht per liter. Promotion of biofuels will continue, upgrading B5 to B7 diesel. Additionally, the diesel product will shift from B7 to B10, priced 2 baht cheaper than B7, and B20 diesel will be 5 baht cheaper than B7, with distribution through depots. Prices will decrease further if supply increases.
E20 gasoline will have a price difference of over 3 baht compared to E10. Today, this adjustment will be implemented and prices will reflect cost. Tomorrow, E10 or gasohol 95 prices will rise by 1 baht per liter, while E20 will be 0.79 baht cheaper, making it 5 baht cheaper than E10. The public is encouraged to increase E20 consumption.
Atthapol also addressed fuel hoarding, stating that discussions with the Ministry of Interior and Ministry of Commerce will include random inspections to ensure no hoarding or excessive profiteering is occurring. Inspections have already been conducted to verify that fuel supplies exist and are being properly distributed and consumed.