Volatility in global energy prices, driven by unrest in the Middle East, is increasingly affecting the daily lives of Thai people—from higher transportation costs and rising product prices to an overall increase in the cost of living. Beyond these immediate impacts, the crisis has also brought into focus a deeper issue: the structural weaknesses of Thailand’s energy system, which remains heavily dependent on imports and lacks the flexibility to withstand recurring external shocks.
Prof. Dr. Navadol Laosiripojana, Director of the Joint Graduate School of Energy and Environment (JGSEE) at King Mongkut’s University of Technology Thonburi (KMUTT), views the current situation as a critical warning for Thailand to reassess its energy strategy. As long as the country relies significantly on imported crude oil and liquefied natural gas (LNG), it remains vulnerable to global volatility—affecting energy reserves, import costs, system stability, and ultimately the broader economy.
“This is not the first energy crisis Thailand has faced. In the past, petrol prices exceeded 40 THB per liter, yet the lessons may not have been fully internalized. The key question now is not when the next crisis will occur, but how to build a more resilient energy system capable of managing future volatility more effectively.”
Prof. Navadol emphasized that Thailand is not without options. As an agriculture-based country, it has strong potential to harness biomass resources for domestic energy production. With clear and consistent policies, investments in renewable energy, biomass, energy storage systems, and energy efficiency could significantly reduce reliance on imports while strengthening long-term energy security.
In the short term, coal may serve as a temporary measure to stabilize electricity costs and supply. However, it is not a viable long-term solution due to its environmental impacts and tightening global carbon constraints. A more balanced transition pathway would involve the use of LNG alongside the accelerated expansion of renewable energy, with LNG dependence gradually declining over time. That said, LNG sourcing should be diversified across different regions to reduce exposure to transportation choke points. Ultimately, Thailand’s future energy system will require a diversified and well-integrated energy mix.
The crisis can either become a burden or a catalyst, depending on how Thailand responds. If treated merely as a short-term challenge, it will continue to recur. However, if leveraged as an opportunity to address structural weaknesses—particularly import dependence—and to promote clean, domestically sourced energy and technological transformation, it could mark a significant turning point. The case of biodiesel illustrates this well: while it has the potential to reduce imports and support farmers, inconsistent policy support has hindered its development into a stable primary energy source.
“The transport and logistics sector has been among the most visibly affected due to its heavy reliance on diesel, with rising costs directly impacting goods prices and living expenses. Addressing this requires more than just promoting electric vehicles—it calls for an ‘integrated green logistics’ approach, including electrified urban transport, expanded rail systems, biodiesel for long-haul transport, and sustainable aviation fuels to reduce costs, risks, and oil dependence.”
Looking ahead, emerging innovations such as green hydrogen, carbon capture and storage, advanced energy storage systems, and the application of AI and big data will play an increasingly important role in enhancing energy security. However, Thailand must adopt these technologies strategically—aligned with national strengths—while continuing to invest in human capital and knowledge development.
Prof. Navadol concluded that the most important lesson from this crisis is not simply about rising oil prices, but the realization that Thailand can no longer allow external volatility to dictate its energy future. The path forward lies in building a more resilient system—one that relies more on domestic resources, uses energy efficiently, and adopts technologies suited to the country’s context—ensuring greater preparedness for future energy challenges.
This article was originally published in Thai on the KMUTT website and is available at: https://www.kmutt.ac.th/news/research-innovation/03/04/2026/104398/
