Govt to address fuel woes

Shortages spur caps on purchases, queues

- MONGKOL BANGPRAPA CHINNAWAT SINGHA

The government is moving to ensure equitable fuel distribution as the war in the Middle East prompted panic buying across the country, causing long queues and shortages at petrol stations in several provinces.

Energy Minister Auttapol Rerkpiboon convened an urgent meeting with oil traders and refinery representatives yesterday to address delays in distribution that have left some service stations temporarily without fuel.

Following the meeting, the Ministry of Energy and oil companies agreed on emergency measures to accelerate deliveries. These include deploying additional fuel trucks, increasing delivery frequency and boosting the volume of fuel transported from storage depots to affected areas.

The ministry stressed that close coordination between all relevant sectors will help restore the situation as quickly as possible, before urging the public not to panic and assuring that Thailand's energy reserves remain sufficient.