Petroleum law changes put on holdListen to this articleThe Erawan gas block in the Gulf of Thailand, operated by PTT Exploration and Production. The Department of Mineral Fuels (DMF) has finished drafting amendments to the Petroleum Act to ensure the continuity of petroleum production when licences expire, avoiding delays that can result in expensive electricity bills. Setbacks in domestic gas production force Thailand to import more costly liquefied natural gas (LNG) to fuel power generation, thus driving up production costs. The source said while the Petroleum Act specifies a one-time renewal for only 10 years, a second renewal can actually be done immediately with cabinet approval. This caused delays in petroleum production in the country, resulting in Thailand depending more on LNG imports.

Source: Bangkok Post January 20, 2026 23:24 UTC