BANGKOK, THAILAND – Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul rejected rumours of illegal fuel hoarding, saying public anxiety, not secret stockpiles, had driven a surge in demand and caused visible strain at filling stations.
Government meeting on Middle East situation
Anutin spoke after a special session of the Joint Management and Monitoring Centre for the Situation in the Middle East, which monitored the conflict’s impact on Thailand’s energy security.
Officials said images of crowded petrol stations were linked to growing concern over a potentially prolonged war in the region.
The government framed the situation as a distribution and demand imbalance rather than an outright shortage of fuel.
10,000 litres missing – investigation under way
Authorities were following up reports of 10,000 litres of allegedly “missing” fuel, the prime minister said.
At the same time, he stressed that, in the official assessment, there was no general supply shortfall across Thailand.
The inquiry into the missing volume was being treated as a specific case, separate from the broader market situation.
Imports and refineries operating normally
According to Anutin, crude oil imports and refinery production continued unchanged, with no reduction in operating capacity.
He contradicted speculation that the market had already been thinned out by disrupted deliveries or technical constraints at refineries.
Officials maintained that existing infrastructure was functioning normally and could meet typical national demand.
Demand surge – from 67 to 84 million litres
The prime minister reported a sharp rise in daily fuel consumption, from 67 million litres to 84 million litres.
Production levels remained the same and there were no import problems, prompting the government to focus on calming the public rather than imposing restrictions.
Officials argued that stabilising demand would be key to easing queues and preventing localised shortages.
No “mysterious” profiteer – but many anxious buyers
Asked about an alleged individual hoarding fuel for profit, Anutin replied in English:
“No, there is no such mystery figure hoarding fuel. It is the public who are concerned and stockpiling.”
said Anutin Charnvirakul, prime minister.
He interpreted the situation as a collective overreaction, in which many small additional purchases combined to create the appearance of scarcity.
Officials warned that this pattern risked turning a psychological concern into a visible supply strain.
Comparison with overrun ATMs
Anutin compared the fuel situation to cash machines that seemed “empty” not because there was no money, but because too many people withdrew funds at the same time.
His message was that motorists who filled tanks to the brim and topped up extra containers out of fear were intensifying queues and pressure on logistics.
The government urged the public to buy only what they normally needed to help restore normal flows at petrol stations.
24-hour access for fuel tankers in Bangkok
To ease distribution bottlenecks, fuel transport vehicles were to be granted round-the-clock access into Bangkok.
The move was intended to reduce delivery delays and ensure petrol stations could be replenished more smoothly.
Officials hoped that improving 24-hour logistics would prevent local, temporary shortages from being perceived as a nationwide problem.