Mr. Prasert Sinsukprasert, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Energy, disclosed that the ministry is closely monitoring the conflict between Israel and the Hamas group, the armed political organization of the Palestinians.

Despite the conflict, Thailand will not be directly affected because it doesn't import energy, both oil and liquefied natural gas (LNG), from Israel or Palestine. Currently, Thailand imports about 57% of its crude oil from Middle Eastern countries and 33% of its LNG from various sources.

The Ministry of Energy continues to monitor the situation to assess and prepare in case the conflict intensifies. The ministry and related agencies have prepared energy reserves. Currently, Thailand has crude oil reserves of 3,910 million liters, 1,637 million liters of crude oil in transit, and 2,180 million liters of refined oil. This allows for more than two months of fuel reserves, broken down to 33 days for crude oil, 14 days in transit, and 20 days for refined oil. Household cooking gas (LPG) lasts for 21 days.

If the situation prolongs and intensifies, the primary concern will be global energy prices, given that the Middle East is a major energy producer and exporter. Market sentiment might lead to rising energy prices. Although current oil prices fluctuate within a narrow range, it remains crucial to watch closely.

Nevertheless, the Ministry of Energy will continue its utmost efforts to mitigate the impact on citizens and asks for the public's understanding in this crisis, urging everyone to use energy, especially oil, efficiently and economically to weather this crisis together.