Pol. Lt. Gen. Rutthaphon, together with the Department of Energy Business and the DSI, conducted an on-site inspection of Bangchak refinery and found no abnormalities. He emphasized that the Prime Minister has ordered the oil issue to be resolved as quickly as possible. Meanwhile, Bangchak is ramping up production to the maximum capacity of 19 million liters per day.
At 3:00 p.m. on 21 Mar 2026 GMT+7, following Pol. Lt. Gen. Rutthaphon Naowarat, Minister of Justice, visited the site together with Mr. Chatchai Khunlohkit, Deputy Director-General of the Department of Energy Business; Police Lieutenant Colonel Waranan Srilam, Director of the Consumer Protection Case Division; Police Lieutenant Colonel Khemchat Prakaihongsamanee, Director of Technology and Information Division, Department of Special Investigation (DSI). They inspected to summarize the overall situation. Afterwards, Pol. Lt. Gen. Rutthaphon gave an interview at Bangchak refinery saying that Today, we conducted inspections at eight locations across four provinces. I personally visited Bangchak refinery, while other teams of officials covered the remaining sites, divided into three groups.
After completing inspections at all sites, we will hold a joint meeting to summarize findings. Executives from Bangchak Corporation provided an overview of oil production capacity to representatives from the Department of Energy Business and the DSI. This collaboration prioritized major sites such as refineries and large oil storage facilities. Meanwhile, police and provincial administrative officials inspected gas stations and service points in various provinces.
The inspection criteria used are uniform across all sites and will form the basis for reporting. We affirm that we will verify oil quantities to ensure consistency with production volumes and inventory levels. We will conduct thorough inspections to confirm this. Preliminary inspections have found no irregularities. Bangchak Corporation has complied with the Prime Minister's policies regarding oil reserves to assist and resolve issues for the public.
When asked how public confidence can be restored, Pol. Lt. Gen. Rutthaphon said that a team has been established to handle this matter and began fact-finding inspections on 19 Mar 2026 GMT+7. The Prime Minister held a meeting to assign policies to the task force and issued directives on resolving oil problems. We have conducted full on-site inspections to determine how much oil inventory is available and how much has been sold. According to the Prime Minister's orders, reports must be submitted to the Department of Energy Business. Police and provincial administration teams check downstream points and report accordingly. The government has given full policy support, and we focus on transparency of information.
Regarding inspections of jobbers who transport oil, Pol. Lt. Gen. Rutthaphon stated that thorough checks are underway. Discussions today revealed that Bangchak's jobbers are limited in number. The company enforces compliance with operational guidelines, with the Ministry of Justice participating in inspections across more than 200 companies. Measures to ensure jobbers follow government regulations will be expanded continuously, as solving the problem requires comprehensive oversight.
Asked whether the Prime Minister has set a timeline for resolving the energy crisis, Pol. Lt. Gen. Rutthaphon replied that the Prime Minister has ordered the matter to be handled as quickly as possible, with various measures implemented. At noon today, I signed an order for the Department of Special Investigation to follow the same protocols applied centrally, and we are ready to integrate efforts with all agencies.
When asked if the Prime Minister's statement that the situation could normalize within one to two weeks is realistic, Pol. Lt. Gen. Rutthaphon explained that in today's discussions, Bangchak promised to improve communication and coordination with gas stations to address inconsistencies among operators. Clear policies have been given regarding oil reserves and vehicle operation relaxations. Bangchak acknowledged these measures as beneficial for delivering oil to consumers.
When asked about reports of oil hoarding in Ang Thong province, Pol. Lt. Gen. Rutthaphon said he had not received any such reports, as frontline police handle those matters and no inter-agency information sharing has occurred yet.
Mr. Bandit Hansapaiboon, Acting Chief Executive Officer of Refining and Marketing Business Group, Bangchak Corporation Public Company Limited, revealed that today they received instructions from the Minister of Justice to prioritize consumer protection, which Bangchak has been fully implementing. Previously, Bangchak operates two refineries—Bangchak and Si Racha in Chonburi province—with a combined oil production capacity of 270,000 barrels per day. They have increased production to 290,000 barrels per day, especially diesel, which has been boosted to 19 million liters per day. This represents Bangchak's maximum production capacity.
Sales volume has risen significantly, with pump sales increasing by 30%, exceeding Bangchak's daily production capacity. Consequently, Bangchak's oil inventory has recently tended to decrease. However, due to full cooperation with government policies, Bangchak has received two concessions: extended driving hours and relaxed reserve calculation conditions from the Department of Energy Business. These allow Bangchak to draw more from reserves to supply consumers. They have adjusted delivery plans to maximize oil distribution to consumers, aiming to reduce public anxiety and hope for a return to normal conditions.
When asked how many more days Bangchak's oil inventory can supply the public, Mr. Bandit said it depends on consumer demand. The refinery and marketing teams coordinate continuously. If demand returns to normal, the inventory will suffice to meet public needs consistently.