Thailand could face a diesel shortage within two months, according to global energy expert Panurach Dumrongthai, who warned that confirmed crude oil deliveries for April and May fall 27 million barrels short of national demand. The potential gap has raised concerns about fuel availability and prompted calls for urgent government action to manage consumption. Panurach urged authorities to consider restricting diesel use to essential purposes to prevent a crisis.

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The warning follows a March 28, 2026, “Meet the Press” event at Government House, where Panurach attended as a representative of the energy sector. He highlighted that Thailand requires around 30 million barrels of crude oil per month to meet demand, yet only 24 million barrels have been confirmed for April and just 9 million for May. This shortfall, he said, could force the country to rely heavily on national crude reserves if additional shipments are not secured.

During the forum, Panurach raised three key issues with Energy Minister Auttapol Rerkpiboon: securing replacement crude supplies, managing differences in crude quality such as API (American Petroleum Institute) gravity, and establishing a Special Task Force of experts in petroleum engineering, refining, distribution, and maritime logistics. He expressed concern that Thailand is effectively waiting day by day for crude shipments to arrive, describing the situation as increasingly precarious.

The Energy Minister responded that the figures cited for May only reflect tankers with confirmed berthing dates and additional shipments are expected to be confirmed. He said part of the Middle Eastern supply could still be transported via Fujairah and redirected through Saudi pipelines to the Red Sea, while lost volumes could be replaced by imports from the United States, South Africa and Malaysia. He also noted that refineries could adjust processes through blending and shift production from jet fuel, where demand has fallen, to increase diesel output by 8–10%.

Panurach warned that global uncertainties could worsen the situation, pointing to a recent attack on the Fujairah port and the risk of Red Sea shipping disruptions. He added that government measures such as boosting B20 production and encouraging households to save one litre of fuel per day signal a growing imbalance between supply and demand. From an engineering perspective, he argued that the crisis may already justify stricter controls on diesel usage.

The Nation reported that the government is expected to continue securing additional crude shipments and adjusting refinery operations to stabilise supply. However, the coming weeks will be critical in determining whether Thailand can avoid a diesel shortage or will need to implement consumption restrictions.

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Adapted by ASEAN Nation 30 Mar 2026

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how about the big money greedy people supporting the actual people, it really is disgusting what goes on here, baht manipulation on a grand scale, time for the west to clamp down on these ###ers, it is so obvious........it needs to stop

Was not in the news that 80% of the oil of the imported oil was meant to be exported???

57 minutes ago, KireB said:

This is a very serious problem. Thailand wil grind to a halt without diesel. Good thing that we know who to blame for this mess. Trump and his Magot clan have screwed the world over. The US will pay for this in the future.

Really ... was is Trump that closed the Straits of Hormuz ? And here I thought it was Iran attacking tankers & cargo ships.

9 hours ago, ikke1959 said:

Was not in the news that 80% of the oil of the imported oil was meant to be exported???

Not sure about the 80%, but yes, TH is a major exporter to it's neighbors. It's amazing how ignorant people are, and fall for the MSM spin all the time. Think they would have learned by now.

source: trading economies & BkkPost ...

https://tradingeconomics.com/thailand/exports/mineral-fuels-oils-distillation-products#:~:text=Thailand%20Exports%20of%20mineral%20fuels%2C%20oils%2C%20distillation,was%20last%20updated%20on%20March%20of%202026.

bangkokpost.com/thailand/general/3225534/oil-checks-in-seven-provinces-find-no-irregularities#:~:text=Prime%20Minister%20Anutin%20Charnvirakul%20has,to%20the%20NESDC%20secretary‑general.

1 hour ago, KhunLA said:

Really ... was is Trump that closed the Straits of Hormuz ? And here I thought it was Iran attacking tankers & cargo ships.

What would you expect Iran to do? Just roll over? It's the US who is wreaking havoc all around the globe. From Vietnam to Venezuela, Korea to the Middle East, the US stand for foreign coup d'états, wars and destruction. The most hated people on Earth, especially now with that maniac at helm. You will pay the price for that ultimately.

Again posters here blame all on Trump, while it is israel who started it and

the same country has a grip on Trump and his government.

Yeah , diesel shortages , ... what about electricity ?

Did the price go up ?

Will there be shortages during the 2 to 3 hottest months here ?

If there is a shortage that damages Thai people or Thai businesses, start strict rationing and directing fuel where needed most. That means prohibiting foreigners from access to fuel, diesel in particular. Only Thai citizens with the appropriate identification and documentation should be allowed to purchase fuel.

35 minutes ago, KireB said:

You will pay the price for that ultimately.

Not sure how you figure that, since I live in TH.

21 hours ago, John Drake said:

If there is a shortage that damages Thai people or Thai businesses, start strict rationing and directing fuel where needed most. That means prohibiting foreigners from access to fuel, diesel in particular. Only Thai citizens with the appropriate identification and documentation should be allowed to purchase fuel.

Then you just let a Thai go to the gasstation with your car.

21 minutes ago, FlorC said:

Then you just let a Thai go to the gasstation with your car.

When I wrote "appropriate identification and documentation" that would include citizenship, driver's license, and proof of vehicle ownership.

6 minutes ago, John Drake said:

When I wrote "appropriate identification and documentation" that would include citizenship, driver's license, and proof of vehicle ownership.

Just this morning I see them filling cans with diesel.

Surely you know a Thai that can fill one for you.

3 minutes ago, FlorC said:

Just this morning I see them filling cans with diesel.

Surely you know a Thai that can fill one for you.

Foreigners can develop whatever elaborate work around they want. But if a Thai person wants to spend their ration, along with proving a vehicle ownership, driver's license, and citizenship, on the foreigner, you can't stop them. I do think, however, that should fuel shortages become severe and disruptive, it is far better for foreigners to give up filling their cars and trucks than face increasing Thai anger over "their fuel" being used by foreigners, whom they might decide they want to kick out of the country because of it.

Energy Expert Warns of Diesel Shortage in Thailand

We need an "expert" to tell the public that. <laughs> I guess that virtually every member of the Thai public are now "experts."

Yesterday I went to top up the car at the Bangchak station Sukhumvit Pattaya Klang.

This is a very busy gas station with always queues at all the pumps.

Yesterday there was not a single car, other than me, in the station

There should be quotas though, which favors farmers, shippers, businesses, and their employees. A retiree like myself and my wife? We don't need much and we've cut back on our discretionary travel as it is. And betting on derivatives and attempting to move the oil market should be outlawed.

On 3/30/2026 at 3:52 AM, Georgealbert said:

Panurach Dumrongthai, who warned that confirmed crude oil deliveries for April and May fall 27 million barrels short of national demand.

I wonder how this will reflect the massive Songkran traffic

3 minutes ago, CallumWK said:

I wonder how this will reflect the massive Songkran traffic

I imagine Sonkran will be a little light this year.

23 hours ago, FlorC said:

Again posters here blame all on Trump, while it is israel who started it and

the same country has a grip on Trump and his government.

Yeah , diesel shortages , ... what about electricity ?

Did the price go up ?

Will there be shortages during the 2 to 3 hottest months here ?

What was it Rubio said? Oh yes, the US launched pre-emptive strikes on Iran because it knew an Israeli strike was imminent and Iran would respond by attacking US bases.

So the tail wags the dog, the US is subservient to Israeli wishes.