Fuel sent to Laos may still be diverted to Cambodia - PM Anutin

Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul admitted today that Thailand cannot prevent fuel exported to Laos via the Chong Mek border checkpoint in Sirindhorn district of Ubon Ratchathani from subsequently being diverted to Cambodia.

On Sunday, the Thai Second Army Region imposed a ban on the delivery of fuel and strategic supplies through Chong Mek into Laos in an attempt to prevent them from being sent to Cambodia to help sustain its frontline military operations.

The prime minister chaired a meeting of the National Security Council to assess the latest situation and discuss the problem of supplies being delivered to Cambodia by Thai-owned vessels and oil tankers via Chong Mek.

Asked by a reporter whether US President Donald Trump might use tariff measures to pressure Thailand into accepting a ceasefire with Cambodia, he curtly replied, “No comment.”

Asked if Trump’s claim that he could end the war between Thailand and Cambodia was plausible, Anutin suggested that the US president should tell Cambodia to end the fighting first, noting that Cambodia had started it.

Meanwhile, Energy Permanent Secretary Prasert Sinsukprasert maintained that no fuel is now being delivered to Cambodia from Thailand by land or sea, as such activities are regulated by the Customs and Marine departments.

He admitted, however, that fuel deliveries to Laos via Chong Mek continue as usual, but the volume is limited to about 20 tankers per day, mostly destined for mining activities. He added that the Laotian energy minister has assured Thailand that fuel imported from Thailand is consumed domestically, while Cambodia relies on fuel imports from Vietnam, China and Singapore.

He disclosed that Thailand exports about 100 million litres of diesel and about 20 million litres of benzine to Laos each month, including about 18 million litres exported via Chong Mek.