Speaking after chairing a special meeting of the Joint Management and Monitoring Centre for the Situation in the Middle East yesterday (Mar 19), Anutin said authorities are investigating reports of 10,000 litres of missing fuel, but confirmed there is no supply shortage.
He said crude oil imports and refinery output remain normal, with no reduction in production capacity.
However, concern over the prolonged conflict in the Middle East has led to panic buying, pushing up daily fuel demand, reports the Bangkok Post.
When asked whether the alleged “mystery figure” stockpiling fuel for profit had been identified, the prime minister responded: “No, there is no such mystery figure hoarding fuel. It is the public who are concerned and stockpiling.
“Daily consumption has risen from 67 million litres to 84 million litres, even though production remains the same and there are no import issues. Therefore, we must reassure the public that there is no shortage and no need to stockpile.”
Anutin likened the situation to ATMs being overwhelmed by excessive withdrawals. He urged the public not to crowd petrol stations unnecessarily, saying fuel transport vehicles will be given 24-hour access to Bangkok to ease distribution bottlenecks.