Thailand plans to temporarily suspend fuel exports due to concerns about supply interruption.

Thai Energy Minister Supatchai LeKphapong announced that due to escalating conflicts in the Middle East which could disrupt crude oil imports, Thailand plans to temporarily suspend fuel exports and establish an energy emergency monitoring center to ensure domestic supply. In a statement on Sunday, he stated that the Ministry of Energy has instructed relevant agencies to assess potential impacts and develop short-term and long-term contingency plans, including the possibility of utilizing the national oil fund to stabilize domestic fuel prices in case international oil prices rise. The authorities also plan to increase natural gas production in the Gulf of Thailand and delay maintenance work on major gas fields; as well as require coal and hydroelectric power plants to operate at full capacity to ensure electricity supply. "Domestic energy supply is sufficient," Supatchai said, urging the public not to panic and advocating for energy conservation to reduce imports and alleviate overall cost pressure.