Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul has instructed authorities to intensify efforts to secure alternative oil and gas supplies after the closure of the Strait of Hormuz disrupted roughly half of Thailand’s usual energy imports.
The wider consequences of the conflict in the Middle East — affecting industries from energy to tourism — dominated discussions during a high-level government meeting chaired by Mr Anutin on Thursday.
Attending the meeting were Transport Minister Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn, Finance Minister Ekniti Nitithanprapas, Foreign Affairs Minister Sihasak Phuangketkeow and Energy Minister Auttapol Rerkpiboon.
Mr Anutin said domestic fuel supplies would remain stable for the rest of this month. However, he warned that shipments arriving in Thailand could begin to decline soon as tensions in the Middle East continue to intensify.
To address the potential shortfall, the prime minister tasked Mr Phiphat and Mr Ekniti with leading efforts to locate new sources of oil, noting their experience in the international energy trade.
He also requested that Mr Sihasak engage with foreign governments to explore possible supply arrangements aimed at reducing the impact on Thai consumers.
Separately, Prime Minister’s Office Minister Santi Piyatat reported that consumer protection agencies had stepped up monitoring of product and service prices. Authorities are also assisting tourists affected by widespread flight cancellations, with visa overstay penalties already waived.
Government officials are meanwhile coordinating the evacuation of Thai nationals from the Middle East. Thai diplomats based in Riyadh facilitated the evacuation of nine Thais from Bahrain, who were expected to travel to neighbouring Saudi Arabia before boarding flights back to Thailand.
In a separate case, 30 Thai teachers, students and parents stranded after attending a sports event in Dubai have already returned home.
They landed at Suvarnabhumi Airport at 6:30pm on Wednesday on the first direct flight from Dubai to Thailand since hostilities in the Middle East began last Saturday.
Thai nationals currently in Lebanon have also been urged to leave the country as soon as possible. The Royal Thai Navy said it is prepared to evacuate citizens by sea if air travel routes become unavailable.
The government is also awaiting decisions from about 200 Thai nationals in Iran on whether they wish to return. Mr Phiphat said those who choose to leave would likely need to travel roughly 1,000 kilometres by land to Turkey, where flights to Thailand could be arranged.
He acknowledged that the long overland journey could pose logistical challenges. Of the roughly 200 Thai nationals in Iran, about 180 are believed to be students.
