Bangkok: Pipat Ratchakitprakarn, the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Transport, chaired a crucial meeting of the National Economic and Social Development Council (NESDC) to oversee the distribution of oil reserves. He underscored the necessity of maintaining confidentiality regarding the meeting's discussions while ensuring consistent communication with the public. Pipat stated that there was no intention to conceal information but expressed concern over the potential impact on public confidence.

According to Thai News Agency, the meeting was held at the Phakdi Bodin Building, Government House, and included key figures such as Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance, Mr. Ekniti Nitithanprapas; Minister of Energy, Mr. Atthapol Rerkpipibun; Minister of Justice, Pol. Gen. Ruudhpol Naowarat; along with executives from major oil companies in Thailand, such as PTT Public Company Limited, PTT Oil and Retail Public Company Limited, PTG Energy Public Company Limited, Susco Public Company Limited, Shell Thailand Limited, Bangchak Corporation Public Company Limited, and other relevant agencies.

Mr. Pipat initiated the meeting by stating that it followed a Situation Monitoring Center meeting from the previous Thursday. The government has enacted three urgent measures to tackle the fuel shortage at gas stations: relaxing fuel reserve requirements to increase supply, allowing 24-hour operation of fuel trucks nationwide to enhance transportation, and implementing stricter measures to prevent hoarding. A Prime Minister's order issued on March 21st authorized fuel companies to release legally mandated fuel reserves to expedite and improve service availability to the public.

The meeting's primary focus was to monitor the progress of these measures, particularly the deployment of fuel reserves to serve the public efficiently. Discussions included determining the initiation of these actions and the daily fuel quantities required to swiftly resolve the current crisis and return to normalcy, assuring the public of equitable and sufficient fuel distribution.

Mr. Pipat reiterated the importance of confidentiality for all meetings, urging strict adherence to guidelines to ensure consistent and accurate public communication. He emphasized that while there was no intention to conceal information, the current situation warranted extreme caution in information dissemination to avoid misunderstandings. He stressed that misinformation could adversely affect public trust.