Thai Army lifts ban on export of oil to Laos via Ubon Ratchathani province

Thailand’s Second Army Region has agreed to lift the ban on the export of fuel oil to Laos, imposed on December 14th last year, to ease the negative impacts of the embargo on Laotian consumers. The Army is, however, increasing checks on and requiring oil tankers carrying fuel from Thailand to Laos to have GPS installed, to ensure that the fuel is not diverted to Cambodia.

Currently, there are six Thai oil suppliers, representing three oil companies, which are engaged in the transport of oil to Laos via the Chong Mek border crossing. On the Laotian side, there are 10 oil traders with licenses from the Lao authorities in Champasak province to import fuel from Thailand for local consumption only.

Cambodia officially suspended all fuel and gas imports from Thailand at midnight on June 22nd last year, as border tensions were escalating. The measure prompted Thai suppliers, such as the PTT Group, to cease all oil exports to Cambodia.