The Secretary of the Ministry of Energy confirmed that oil supplies are sufficient, with continuous crude oil imports into the country. He noted a 20% surge in demand, reaching 84 million liters per day. Efforts are being accelerated to regulate distribution and strictly monitor gas stations. Daily stock reporting has been ordered, with penalties for hoarding and illegal exports.
On 23 March 2026, Mr. Prasert Sinsukprasert, Secretary of the Ministry of Energy, stated that he would summarize the events of the past week. He noted that people have been seen traveling to use services at gas stations. The Energy Ministry has received confirmed information that oil supplies are sufficient, including a steady inflow of crude oil into the country.
What has happened is that public demand has changed from before. Previously, daily usage was 64 million liters, which has increased to 84 million liters per day. This 20% increase is significant and raises management issues. Traders are focusing on supplying gas stations, causing shortages for middlemen who distribute to the industrial sector. Pricing is also problematic, as jobbers receive prices higher than at the pumps, which leads to higher resale prices.
Transport sector customers have turned to refueling at gas stations because prices there are cheaper. This has concentrated wholesale and retail markets at gas stations, causing delays in fuel dispensing and transportation, resulting in chaos and congestion at the stations.
The government’s response is to organize the system and create transparency to prevent suspicions about missing oil. Traders under Section 7—including PTT, OR, Bangchak, Shell, and jobbers—must report daily how much oil they receive or produce, and the quantities sold and to whom. All data must be reported daily to the Department of Energy Business.
With this data, the distribution of over 70 million liters of refinery-produced oil can be clearly tracked by region. Currently, distribution to jobbers and gas stations matches or exceeds levels before the war situation. Producers and major traders receive the same quotas as before. This allocation method can meet demand and return oil distribution to normal.
To prevent hoarding, the Ministry of Energy, together with the Ministry of Interior and police, has conducted inspections in multiple areas. Any gas station that has oil but does not sell it is committing an offense. If any station refuses service, the public can report it.
Regarding easing oil reserve requirements, the ministry has relaxed reserve conditions, including a 1% reserve exemption and stock management. Although stocks may decline, they must be replenished within an appropriate timeframe. This approach aims to relieve traders’ concerns and enable more oil to be provided to the public to meet demand.
Hoarding and illegal exports constitute offenses. The government will strictly monitor to prevent oil from being used for speculative profiteering.