Bangkok: Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul held an urgent meeting with the governors of all 76 provinces, issuing directives to address the oil price crisis. He emphasized strict enforcement of laws against hoarding and urged the acceleration of relief measures for those affected nationwide. He also instructed preparations for managing road safety during the seven-day dangerous period of the Songkran festival.

According to Thai News Agency, Prime Minister and Minister of Interior, Anutin Charnvirakul, chaired a meeting to drive forward key missions of the Ministry of Interior. Also present were Deputy Ministers of Interior, Songsak Thongsri and Sakda Wichiansilp; Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Interior, Arsit Sampanrat; Deputy Permanent Secretaries of the Ministry of Interior, Santithorn Yimlamai and Pasakorn Boonlak; Director-General of the Department of Provincial Administration, Narucha Khosasilvilai; Director-General of the Department of Local Administration Promotion, Theerut Suphawibulphol; Director-General of the Department of Public Works and Town Planning, Pongnara Yenying; and Director-General of the Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation, Theerapat Khachamat. The meeting took place at Government House, with the governors of all 76 provinces participating via video conference.

Mr. Anutin stated that the meeting was convened because of pressing issues causing distress to the people, particularly the rising price of fuel due to the conflict in the Middle East. He explained that domestically, Thais normally demand around 67 million liters of fuel per day, and refineries can process approximately 77 million liters daily, which is sufficient. However, panic buying and hoarding caused demand to skyrocket to 87 million liters, far exceeding domestic production capacity. This panic demand is the primary reason the government has deemed it necessary to lift price controls and adjust fuel prices according to market mechanisms to prevent shortages and ensure adequate distribution to all areas, thereby maintaining a balanced supply.

Mr. Anutin addressed the issue of opportunism, highlighting practices such as raising prices of goods, hoarding oil to resell at inflated prices, and smuggling oil into border areas. He urged provincial governors to instruct district officers to closely monitor, supervise, and strictly enforce the law against those who violate the law. The focus of the meeting was to restore normalcy to the situation, urging governors to closely monitor the situation, maintain a war room, follow news from both the central and provincial levels, and conduct on-site inspections of the energy and fuel situation.

Additionally, Mr. Anutin highlighted the importance of communication in crisis situations, emphasizing that the government is committed to assisting vulnerable groups, such as transportation workers and farmers. He urged the promotion of energy conservation measures and the value of using energy wisely, utilizing public address systems and communication channels in the provinces to ensure a shared understanding.

Mr. Arsit Sampanrat stressed the crucial role of provincial governors as representatives of the Prime Minister in each area, urging them to implement the policies issued, including preventing fuel hoarding, reducing public panic, inspecting oil refineries nationwide, and communicating accurately with the public.

At the end of the meeting, the Prime Minister instructed the governors to implement road safety measures for the 2026 Songkran festival, emphasizing the "7 Dangerous Days" period, which has helped reduce accident rates. He urged strict enforcement of road safety checkpoints, prohibition of drunk driving, and the use of safety equipment, stressing the importance of rigorous law enforcement to prevent accidents and protect lives and property.