THAILAND SUSPENDS FUEL EXPORTS TO PREVENT SHORTAGE AMID MIDDLE EAST TENSIONS

By Kenny Teng

BANGKOK, March 6 (Bernama) -- The Thai government on Friday ordered the immediate suspension of fuel exports to prevent a potential fuel shortage amid escalating tensions in the Middle East that have disrupted global energy routes.

The Royal Gazette published a prime minister's order requiring oil traders regulated under the law governing fuel trade to temporarily suspend the export of several types of fuel until further notice.

According to the Royal Gazette dated March 6, rising tensions in the Middle East could affect Thailand’s fuel supply, while it remains impossible to predict when the conflict will end.

“The suspension of exports covers refined petroleum products, including gasoline, gasohol or base gasoline, high-speed diesel and Jet A-1 aviation fuel, as well as liquefied petroleum gas (LPG),” it said.

To prevent and address a potential fuel shortage, the prime minister issued the order under Section 3 of the Emergency Decree on the Correction and Prevention of Fuel Shortages, 1973.

The order also requires oil traders under Section 7 of the Fuel Trade Act, 2000 to maintain reserves of domestically produced refined petroleum products at a rate of 1.5 per cent from March 31, 2026, and three per cent from April 30, 2026.

The order takes effect from the date of its publication in the Royal Gazette.

Meanwhile, the Thai government has established a Centre for the Administration and Monitoring of the Situation of Fighting in the Middle East (CABM) as part of efforts to mitigate the potential impact of the ongoing conflict in the region.

The Prime Minister’s Office, in a statement, said caretaker premier Anutin Charnvirakul will serve as adviser to the centre, while the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Transport will act as its director, and the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance will serve as deputy director.

Roles of the centre include ensuring effective implementation of measures to address impacts from the Middle East’s conflict, to oversee, manage and monitor developments related to the conflict as well as propose guidelines and measures to mitigate its impact.

CABM is also authorised to instruct government agencies and state enterprises to coordinate and carry out operations within the scope of their legal duties and to disseminate accurate and factual information to the public.

-- BERNAMA