(Bangkok, 29th) Amid tightening domestic fuel supplies and the implementation of export restrictions, the Thai government has clarified that it continues to export oil to Laos and Myanmar. This is mainly based on bilateral energy cooperation arrangements and considerations of national energy security.
According to official statements, although the government has ordered a suspension of oil exports, Laos and Myanmar have been granted exemptions. The total daily export volume is about 5 million liters, with over 4 million liters supplied to Laos and around 300,000 liters sent to Myanmar.
As tensions rise in the Middle East and global oil and gas supplies face uncertainties, the public is concerned about why Thailand continues external exports despite the possibility of a domestic fuel shortage. In response, the government's Energy Coordination Center indicated that this arrangement not only involves existing contractual obligations, but also forms part of the overall energy dispatching strategy.
The Secretary-General of the National Economic and Social Development Council, Danucha, stated that Thailand currently maintains limited exports only to these two neighboring countries, with a set daily export cap to ensure stable domestic supply.
He explained that Thailand's oil supply to Laos is closely related to their longstanding energy cooperation, especially as Thailand imports hydropower from Laos. With spot prices of liquefied natural gas (LNG) rising from about $10 to $25 per million British thermal units, power generation costs are under increasing pressure. In the future, there may be a need to adjust the energy structure and increase the proportion of alternative energy such as hydropower to stabilize electricity prices.
"Under the circumstances of international energy price fluctuations, maintaining cooperation with Laos helps to balance overall power generation costs," he said.
As for Myanmar, Thailand's ongoing oil supply is related to natural gas import arrangements. Thailand imports natural gas from Myanmar via pipeline, which is then used at the Ratchaburi power plant to meet electricity demand in the central and southern regions.
Officials pointed out that due to the mutual interdependence in the energy sector, Thailand needs to maintain its oil supply to Myanmar to ensure stable natural gas imports.
The government emphasized that oil exports to Laos and Myanmar are conducted within the overall framework of energy cooperation. Should LNG prices continue to climb in the future, Thailand will flexibly adjust its power generation energy mix according to its established energy structure plans, balancing energy security and power cost control.
According to official statements, although the government has ordered a suspension of oil exports, Laos and Myanmar have been granted exemptions. The total daily export volume is about 5 million liters, with over 4 million liters supplied to Laos and around 300,000 liters sent to Myanmar.
As tensions rise in the Middle East and global oil and gas supplies face uncertainties, the public is concerned about why Thailand continues external exports despite the possibility of a domestic fuel shortage. In response, the government's Energy Coordination Center indicated that this arrangement not only involves existing contractual obligations, but also forms part of the overall energy dispatching strategy.
The Secretary-General of the National Economic and Social Development Council, Danucha, stated that Thailand currently maintains limited exports only to these two neighboring countries, with a set daily export cap to ensure stable domestic supply.
He explained that Thailand's oil supply to Laos is closely related to their longstanding energy cooperation, especially as Thailand imports hydropower from Laos. With spot prices of liquefied natural gas (LNG) rising from about $10 to $25 per million British thermal units, power generation costs are under increasing pressure. In the future, there may be a need to adjust the energy structure and increase the proportion of alternative energy such as hydropower to stabilize electricity prices.
"Under the circumstances of international energy price fluctuations, maintaining cooperation with Laos helps to balance overall power generation costs," he said.
As for Myanmar, Thailand's ongoing oil supply is related to natural gas import arrangements. Thailand imports natural gas from Myanmar via pipeline, which is then used at the Ratchaburi power plant to meet electricity demand in the central and southern regions.
Officials pointed out that due to the mutual interdependence in the energy sector, Thailand needs to maintain its oil supply to Myanmar to ensure stable natural gas imports.
The government emphasized that oil exports to Laos and Myanmar are conducted within the overall framework of energy cooperation. Should LNG prices continue to climb in the future, Thailand will flexibly adjust its power generation energy mix according to its established energy structure plans, balancing energy security and power cost control.