Bangkok, 16 September 2026: Strengthening ASEAN’s preparedness for energy supply disruptions and market volatility was the focus of discussions between ERIA President Tetsuya Watanabe and H.E. Akanat Promphan, Thailand’s Minister of Energy, at the Bangkok International Trade & Exhibition Centre.

President Watanabe outlined ERIA’s ongoing regional oil stockpiling study and a proposed pilot to explore how participating countries could work together to strengthen energy security. Both ERIA and Thailand recognised the value of starting on a limited scale to assess practical arrangements before considering wider implementation.

Minister Promphan welcomed the initiative as timely and relevant. He emphasised that any future arrangement should demonstrate commercial viability, long-term sustainability, and tangible benefits for participating countries, supported by appropriate government oversight. Thailand also expressed interest in exploring how regional co-operation could help address price volatility and market instability.

The discussion highlighted Thailand’s refining and storage infrastructure as a potential resource for the initiative. President Watanabe shared insights from consultations with private-sector stakeholders, underscoring the importance of industry participation and a supportive regulatory framework in developing a workable pilot.

Beyond oil stockpiling, Minister Promphan highlighted Thailand’s priorities in clean energy and infrastructure investment, while encouraging broader energy partnerships that reflect the complementary needs and resources of neighbouring countries. In line with these priorities, ERIA provided an update on its planned sustainable aviation fuel study with Thailand’s Department of Alternative Energy Development and Efficiency. The study is also relevant to Thailand’s interest in strengthening domestic biofuel production.