“Phiphat” Leads Meeting to Fast-Track Strategic Oil Distribution Amid National Shortage

Brickinfo News Agency – The Thai government has officially authorized the release of legal fuel reserves to address a critical shortage at service stations nationwide. Presided over by Deputy Prime Minister Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn, the War Situation Administration and Monitoring Center (WSMC) convened on March 23, 2026, to fast-track the distribution of stockpiled oil. The move follows a surge in “abnormal demand” linked to ongoing instability in the Middle East, prompting the administration to bypass standard storage regulations to stabilize the domestic energy market.

The emergency meeting at Government House saw the participation of key cabinet members, including Finance Minister Ekniti Nitithanprapas, Energy Minister Auttapol Rerkpiboon, and Justice Minister Pol. Lt. Gen. Rutthapon Naowarat. Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul was also scheduled to join the session following prior engagements. The primary focus centered on the implementation of a Prime Ministerial order issued on March 21, which permits private operators to tap into mandatory reserves to ensure fuel reaches the public more efficiently.

To support the rapid movement of supplies, the government has introduced three urgent measures: relaxing oil reserve requirements to inject more volume into the system, granting 24-hour transport waivers for fuel tankers nationwide, and enforcing strict monitoring to prevent illegal hoarding. This multi-pronged approach aims to clarify exactly when and how much of the reserve volume will hit the market daily, with the goal of returning the situation to a state of normalcy as quickly as possible.

During the session, Deputy Prime Minister Pipat Ratchakitprakarn emphasized the need for unified communication regarding the crisis. He instructed all departments to maintain strict confidentiality regarding ongoing deliberations to prevent public panic or misinformation. The government maintains that while transparency is a priority, premature data could lead to market distortion.

“We have no intention of concealing information,” Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn stated during the meeting. “However, many issues are still under consideration without a final conclusion. We must exercise extreme caution in dissemination to prevent misunderstandings and the distortion of facts, which could severely impact public confidence.”

The high-level meeting also involved representatives from major energy stakeholders, including PTT Public Company Limited, PTT Oil and Retail (OR), PTG Energy, Susco, Shell Thailand, and Bangchak Corporation. These industry leaders are tasked with coordinating the logistics of the reserve release to ensure that the increased supply translates into immediate availability at the pump for Thai citizens and businesses.