Thailand’s Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul ordered provincial governors to enforce strict measures against fuel hoarding, price gouging, and smuggling.
He mandated the creation of central and provincial “war rooms” to monitor energy supplies and market prices continuously.
Governors were instructed to inspect refineries and act swiftly against irregularities in fuel volumes or pricing.
Although Thailand’s refineries normally produce more fuel than daily demand, panic buying has driven consumption to 87 million liters per day, exceeding production capacity.
This surge forced the government to unpeg fuel prices, allowing them to float with market mechanisms to prevent shortages.
Anutin assured that remedial measures are being prepared to support vulnerable groups, transport operators, and farmers.
