Assoc. Prof. Sukhum advises the government to turn the crisis into an opportunity to demonstrate its skills in resolving oil issues, build public confidence, reduce panic and hoarding, noting that Thailand has faced this before and urging calm and adaptation to the situation.
On 21 March 2026 GMT+7, Assoc. Prof. Sukhum Nuansakul, former rector of Ramkhamhaeng University, commented on the tight oil situation, saying the government should see this problem as a chance to showcase management capabilities, both in immediate problem-solving and in establishing long-term energy security foundations. Past lessons clearly show that Thailand has faced similar situations multiple times and managed to overcome them. Therefore, it is important to study how those were handled to apply those methods today. The oil issue is not new; there have even been times when refueling was restricted during certain hours, but eventually, cooperation among government, private sector, and the public resolved the issues. He emphasized that the government must quickly build public confidence to reduce panic, especially hoarding behavior that unnecessarily worsens the problem.
Regarding the caretaker government's limitations, Assoc. Prof. Sukhum sees this as a factor hindering full decision-making. Those in office may not continue in their roles, leading to hesitation because of future consequences. However, this should not cause governmental paralysis. Even with limited authority, the government must continue and expedite feasible actions. He believes that when a fully empowered government is in place, management will be more continuous and agile. At the same time, the public must adapt their behavior to the situation by using energy rationally and planning travel to reduce pressure on the overall system.
Assoc. Prof. Sukhum stressed that if all parties cooperate with composure, this crisis can not only be overcome but also serve as a crucial test of the country's ability to handle global volatility, reflecting the government’s management potential despite current limitations.
“The government must see serious problems as opportunities. Successfully overcoming them leads to long-term stability, so this perspective is essential along with dedicated effort. I also believe the public is currently giving the government time to work, understanding the global scale of the issue and the caretaker government’s constraints. Facing a global crisis, the government cannot avoid its role in problem-solving. Being in office naturally makes it a support for the people.”