Bangkok: The Department of Energy Business reveals that diesel and gasoline consumption has begun to decline. The Department of Energy Business confirmed that current oil reserves are sufficient for 104 days. Diesel and gasoline consumption is beginning to decrease. An investigation has confirmed that an oil distribution company in Ang Thong was found guilty of not issuing transport permits, and further investigations will be conducted into other companies involved.
According to Thai News Agency, Mr. Wutthithat Tantives, Deputy Director-General of the Department of Energy Business, discussed the situation regarding domestic oil reserves, stating that the situation has been closely monitored. As of March 20, 2026, domestic oil reserves stood at 5,060 million liters, or approximately 41 days' supply. Combined with oil in transit and imported oil, the total amounted to 7,396 million liters, or approximately 63 days' supply. This means Thailand has sufficient oil reserves for approximately 104 days of operation.
Regarding the daily fuel sales situation, the overall daily sales volume of gasoline and diesel over the past 1-2 weeks has been significantly higher than normal. However, data as of March 18, 2026, shows that diesel sales have begun to decrease, now at 54.79 million liters per day, and gasoline sales have decreased to 29.98 million liters per day. This is close to the levels before the tensions in the Middle East, when average diesel consumption in February was 70 million liters per day and gasohol consumption was 34 million liters per day.
Yesterday, March 19, 2026, Mr. Atthapol Rerkpiboon, Minister of Energy, inspected an oil depot in Lam Luk Ka District, Pathum Thani Province, which is a major oil distribution point to over 200 service stations in the central region. This was to reassure the public about the energy supply. The inspection revealed no hoarding, and the depot remains operational 24 hours a day, in accordance with the Ministry of Energy's policy. Currently, oil is being dispensed at a rate 20% higher than the normal average to alleviate bottlenecks, but it is acknowledged that waiting times for oil have increased due to higher demand.
The Minister of Energy also inspected a gas station in Lat Sawai Subdistrict, Lam Luk Ka District, Pathum Thani Province, and found that the station was operating normally, but there were temporary shortages of diesel fuel due to increased demand and transportation delays. The Minister has instructed the Department of Energy Business to urgently find solutions, especially by continuously inspecting other oil depots, to ensure that there is sufficient oil to meet the public's needs.
Furthermore, the energy business group has requested cooperation from the provincial energy offices in all 76 provinces to coordinate with the provincial governors, provincial commerce offices, and other relevant agencies to continuously inspect fuel businesses and locations where fuel is stored and refueled, including gas stations, operators, transport vehicles, and fuel storage facilities.
Progress on measures to address the fuel shortage includes easing restrictions on fuel transport hours during the current situation. Following a request for cooperation from relevant agencies, including the Royal Thai Police, the police have now issued regulations allowing fuel trucks to operate 24 hours a day nationwide. This is to facilitate the transportation of fuel to gas stations. We request that transportation operators enhance security measures during transportation to ensure sufficient fuel supply for the public and businesses.
Regarding the case where the Consumer Protection Police Division inspected an oil company in Ang Thong after receiving complaints about stockpiling 330,000 liters of fuel and selling it at inflated prices, Mr. Wuttithat stated that the company in question is Trillion Petrotrading Co., Ltd. The inspection revealed a stock of approximately 330,000 liters of fuel, consisting of 48,000 liters of diesel, 210,000 liters of Gasohol 95, and 73,000 liters of Gasohol 91, totaling 330,000 liters. The company was found to be a small-scale fuel retailer under Section 10 of the law. The fuel was transported through multiple stages, and the inspection revealed that no transport documents were issued for each stage of the process. This is a violation of Section 30 of the Fuel Trading Act of 2000, which requires transport documents for each stage of the process, specifying the origin, date, quantity, and destination. This includes the requirement to retain documents for at least 60 days, which would be a violation of Section 56. Further details need to be verified. However, regarding safety, this oil storage facility has all the necessary permits under the Fuel Control Act of 1999.
Regarding whether the investigation will be expanded to other companies, the Deputy Director-General of the Department of Energy Business stated that they would need to examine the origin of the shipment to determine its source, and would review previous activities as well.
When asked about the case of the four gas stations in the South that stated they would receive another oil quota on April 1, 2026, and whether there had been any follow-up, even though yesterday's meeting of the Energy Policy and Strategy Center indicated it was unlikely, Mr. Wutthithat said that, following Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Transport Pipat Ratchakitprakarn's statement that it was unlikely, the Department of Energy Business will coordinate with provincial energy offices to investigate the facts on the ground.
When asked further whether this meant that no investigation had been conducted since the news was reported, or if the investigation had found nothing, Mr. Wuttithat stated that he had already informed the Provincial Energy Office.