Thailand Suspends Oil Exports Amid Middle East Tensions
In response to the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, Thailand has halted petroleum exports and activated emergency measures to ensure domestic energy security.
Thailand has suspended all petroleum product exports with immediate effect in response to the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, a critical passage for global oil shipments. Energy Minister Auttapol Rerkpiboon announced the establishment of an Energy Emergency Surveillance Centre to monitor the situation closely and coordinate the nation's response.
To bolster domestic energy security, the government has ordered coal and hydroelectric power plants to operate at full capacity and directed the Department of Mineral Fuels to increase natural gas production in the Gulf of Thailand. Maintenance schedules for natural gas fields have been postponed to ensure uninterrupted supply.
As of March 1, 2026, Thailand's oil reserves, including crude and refined products, total approximately 7.66 billion liters, sufficient for 60 days of consumption. This includes 4.877 billion liters in domestic reserves and additional supplies in transit.
The Ministry of Energy has also prepared to utilize the Oil Fuel Fund to stabilize domestic fuel prices and mitigate the impact of rising global oil prices on the cost of living.
The Federation of Thai Industries has called for an emergency summit with the Ministry of Energy and fuel traders to assess the situation and develop contingency plans, emphasizing the potential threat to the national economy due to Thailand's reliance on Middle Eastern crude.
