Thailand’s major oil retailers disagree with a government order for them to triple their reserves to ensure a sufficient supply for motorists during the war in the Middle East. “We instructed oil retailers to raise their oil reserve proportion from 1% to 3% to increase confidence among the public,” he said after a meeting with caretaker prime minister Anutin Charnvirakul. The Fuel Control Act allows the government to order oil retailers to set aside certain amounts of oil as reserves. Oil retailers will be required to gradually increase reserves from 1% to 1.5% this month, rising to 3% in April, he said. Oil retailers plan to hold discussions with the government about the issue to determine what is possible, he said.

Source: Bangkok Post March 06, 2026 14:51 UTC