The Cabinet approved the preliminary study results of the Committee on the Suitability of Setting Fuel Oil Cost Base and assigned the Ministry of Energy to act according to the law, aiming to maintain the stability of domestic fuel oil prices.
On 6 April 2026, Ms. Ratchada Thanadirek, spokesperson for the Office of the Prime Minister, revealed that The Cabinet approved the study results by the committee on the suitability of setting the fuel oil cost base (preliminary) and tasked the Ministry of Energy to follow legal procedures, regulations, announcements, and relevant Cabinet resolutions for the public benefit. This involves setting appropriate refining and marketing fees during periods of high oil price volatility to help stabilize domestic fuel prices, alleviate impacts on the public, and reduce overall business cost burdens.
The study covered, among other things, cost data from six oil refineries in Thailand, which were requested to provide information on crude oil procurement costs including Crude Premium, Product Premium, War Risk Premium, Freight, and Insurance. The estimated data from January to March 2026 showed that after the conflict in the Middle East, crude oil procurement costs increased significantly due to these rising cost components.
The Ministry of Energy will undertake the following actions:
1. Department of Energy Business
(1) Improve the data reporting forms from oil refineries to establish data standards allowing detailed cost and refining fee breakdown calculations.
(2) Prepare detailed cost breakdown tables for crisis periods, such as Crude Premium, Product Premium, War Risk Premium, Freight, and Insurance, ensuring they are current.
(3) Coordinate with oil refinery groups to provide data on the types and sources of crude oil currently imported.
(4) Study the structure and production capacity of each refinery to calculate the national average proportion of total refined products.
2. Energy Policy and Planning Office
(1) Study international standards to establish central benchmark criteria for various Premium costs for reference.
(2) Review and update the fuel price structure tables to align with current conditions.
(3) The Ministry of Energy will continue to communicate and promote accurate public understanding regarding the fuel price structure nationwide.