Survey of Thailands Oil Stocks: Why Are Many Gas Stations Running Dry?

A survey of Thailand's oil stocks from refineries to gas stations asks why many locations have run out of fuel. The Director-General of the Department of Energy apologized with a respectful gesture for the insufficient fuel at stations, vowed to resolve the issue swiftly, and affirmed that Thailand's reserves can sustain demand for 101 days.

Today (17 Mar 2026), during the daily briefing by the Middle East Situation Management Center (MESMC) Mr. Sarawut Kaewtapthip, Director-General of the Department of Energy Business, revealed that Thailand has six oil refineries with a production capacity of 175 million liters per day, producing refined fuels including gasoline at 32-33 million liters per day, diesel at 75-80 million liters per day, jet fuel at 25 million liters per day, fuel oil at 13 million liters per day, and LPG at 6-7 million kilograms per day.

Mr. Sarawut explained that the root cause of the problem stems from disruptions in oil deliveries to "jobbers" or middlemen, resulting in the industrial sector not receiving fuel as planned. Consequently, transport vehicles and factories have resorted to competing for fuel at regular service stations, rapidly depleting the fuel allocated for households in some areas.

To address this, the Prime Minister urgently ordered the Ministry of Energy to coordinate with relevant agencies. Key measures include operating all six refineries at full capacity (175 million liters daily), coordinating with police, transport, interior ministry, and Bangkok authorities to extend fuel delivery hours to ensure sufficient supply to stations, and collaborating with the Ministry of Commerce to prevent profiteering.

“I must sincerely apologize for the chaos and difficulties that have occurred at fuel stations during this period,”

Mr. Sarawut updated Thailand's oil reserve status as of 17 Mar 2026, stating that the country has enough oil to meet demand for no less than 101 days, broken down as follows:

1. Domestic oil stocks sufficient for 42 days

• Commercial reserves of 1,802 million liters, enough for 17 days
• Statutory reserves of 3,389 million liters, enough for 25 days

2. Oil in transit sufficient for 59 days

• Oil in transit totaling 3,623 million liters, enough for 29 days
• Confirmed oil procurement of 3,700 million liters, enough for 30 days

Mr. Sarawut further revealed that the Department of Energy Business and provincial energy offices are conducting two types of oil stock inspections:

1. Inspection at the source

Checking crude oil, gasoline, and diesel stocks on 13 Mar 2026 in 23 provinces across 53 depots with 589 tanks showed sufficient reserves for 42 days, with no shortages.

They are urgently verifying reports that some depots have withheld fuel, preventing distribution to regions and service stations.

2. Inspection of gas stations nationwide

Between 15-16 Mar, inspections covered 1,502 stations, finding that

• 151 stations (10.1%) were closed due to fuel shortages,
• 1,039 stations (69.2%) were open but had some fuel types sold out or nearly depleted,
• and 306 stations (20.6%) were open with sufficient fuel available.

The survey found a significant increase in fuel demand. The shortages partly result from delivery delays amid higher sales, and it was confirmed that all closed stations genuinely ran out of fuel, with no hoarding involved.

“I assure the public that we have sufficient oil reserves in the country. I kindly ask everyone to continue their daily lives normally, as there is no need to hoard fuel, and to cooperate in conserving fuel.”