Thailand Assures No Fuel Shortage Amid Surge In Demand

By Wilawan Watcharasakwet & Kenny Teng

BANGKOK, March 19 (Bernama) -- Thailand has assured that petrol and diesel supplies remain sufficient despite a sharp surge in demand driven by public anxiety.

Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul said the country continues to secure crude oil imports from multiple sources, with no disruption to supply, even as fuel consumption has risen significantly above normal levels.

He said daily fuel consumption has increased from around 67 million litres to 84 million litres, while production and imports remain stable.

“The issue now is that when people become anxious, demand surges despite stable supply—much like an automated teller machine (ATM) where no matter how much cash is added, it is never enough,” he said, adding that efforts are underway to stabilise distribution and restore normal supply conditions.

He added that public concern has driven the surge in fuel consumption, with authorities working to manage the situation, reduce anxiety and ensure fuel distribution to service stations returns to normal as soon as possible.

He also urged all parties to help reassure the public and prevent panic buying.

Earlier, Anutin chaired a meeting of the Centre for Managing and Monitoring the Situation of the Conflict in the Middle East (CMCMME) to address the domestic fuel situation.

He said the government has adjusted its energy measures to address distribution challenges and ease public concern, including setting a fuel price ceiling, increasing delivery hours to service stations and promoting alternative energy.

“These measures aim to restore fuel distribution to pre-crisis levels and ensure motorists can refuel under normal conditions. Prices will continue to follow market mechanisms, while the state introduces measures to minimise the impact on the public,” he said.

Meanwhile, Commerce Minister Suphajee Suthumpun said consumer goods prices remain stable, with the government maintaining a diesel price cap at 33 baht per litre to cushion the impact of rising global energy costs.

She added that the cap will be adjusted gradually by 50 satang per litre from March 18 as part of efforts to balance price stability and fiscal sustainability.

Earlier this month, the government introduced measures to curb energy consumption, including work-from-home arrangements for public sector employees, limiting official travel and setting air-conditioning temperatures at 26–27 degrees Celsius.

Authorities have also temporarily suspended fuel exports and stepped up efforts to secure additional oil supplies from outside the Gulf region to safeguard domestic availability.

In comparison with Malaysian fuel prices, Gasohol 95 in Thailand is priced at 31.05 baht (RM3.73) per litre, higher than Malaysia’s subsidised RON95 price of RM1.99 per litre under the BUDI MADANI RON95 (BUDI95) programme, but slightly above the unsubsidised rate of about RM3.27 per litre.

Diesel B7 in Thailand is priced at 29.94 baht (RM3.60) per litre, compared with about RM4.72 per litre in Malaysia.

-- BERNAMA