Phiphat led a CMMC meeting to track plans for distributing oil reserves, urging strict confidentiality of meeting information and unified communication. He affirmed there was no intent to conceal information, fearing it could harm public trust.
At 13:20 on 23 March 2026, Mr. Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Transport, chaired a meeting of the Center for Management and Monitoring of the Middle East Conflict Situation (CMMC) at the Phakdi Bodin Building, Government House. The meeting was attended by Mr. Akniti Nitithanprapas, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance; Mr. Atthapol Rerkpiboon, Minister of Energy; Police Lieutenant General Rutthaphon Naowarat, Minister of Justice; and other relevant agencies.
Meanwhile, Prime Minister and Minister of Interior Anutin Charnvirakul was reported to have a prior engagement early in the meeting but would join once his personal matters were completed.
Mr. Phiphat opened the meeting by noting that following last week's discussions, the government implemented three urgent measures to address insufficient oil supplies at stations: 1. Relaxing oil reserve requirements to increase system supply to meet abnormal excess demand; 2. Allowing 24-hour operation for oil tank trucks nationwide to speed transport; and 3. Strictly preventing oil hoarding. On 21 March, the government issued a Prime Minister's order permitting operators to release legally mandated oil reserves to serve the public more widely and rapidly.
Today's meeting aimed to monitor progress on these measures, especially the deployment of oil reserves to the public, including the timing and daily available volumes, to swiftly resolve the situation and restore normalcy while assuring the public that oil distribution will be sufficient and equitable.
Mr. Phiphat also stressed the importance of maintaining confidentiality of all meeting information, requesting strict adherence to ensure consistent and accurate public communication.
“We do not intend to withhold information, but since many issues remain under consideration without clear conclusions, caution is necessary in releasing details to prevent misunderstandings and misinformation, which could undermine public confidence,” he said.
Reporters noted that this afternoon's CMMC meeting included executives and representatives from major national oil companies such as PTT Public Company Limited, PTT Oil and Retail Business Public Company Limited, PTG Energy Public Company Limited, Susco Public Company Limited, Shell Company of Thailand Limited, and Bangchak Corporation Public Company Limited.