Laos has offered a public assurance that oil imported from Thailand is strictly for domestic consumption, dismissing concerns that fuel is being re-exported to Cambodia.
Laos’s visiting energy and mines minister, Malaithong Kommasith, repeated the assurance during a recent meeting with his Thai counterpart, Auttapol Rerkpiboon, in Bangkok.
Thailand’s Permanent Secretary for Energy, Prasert Sinsukprasert, said yesterday that the Laotian minister expressed his understanding of Thailand’s energy security concerns.
He confirmed that there have been no transshipments of oil to Cambodia, stressing that such an act would violate Lao laws governing the transit of goods.
Malaithong Kommasith
Prasert quoted Malaithong as saying that Laos is ready to cooperate fully with Thailand in verifying the facts and exchanging oil trade data, to ensure that oil transactions do not affect Thailand’s national security or Laos’s development.
Prasert added that the volume of oil exports from Thailand to Laos remains within normal levels and has not increased significantly. This assessment has been clearly confirmed by oil traders and the Thai Customs Department.
He acknowledged, however, that daily transport volumes can vary, with an average of around 20 tankers per day crossing through the Chong Mek border checkpoint in Ubon Ratchathani province.
On some days, five trucks may pass, while on others the number may rise to as many as 50.
He noted that oil demand in Laos typically increases between November and April, the dry season, as business activity rises following the rainy season.
Demand is particularly strong in southern Laos, where oil is widely used in mining operations.
Prasert stated that Thailand’s Energy Ministry, oil traders, the Customs Department and all relevant agencies are closely monitoring oil exports, especially those destined for Laos, which have recently attracted public attention.
