Central & SE Asia / Australasia
Country profile: Thailand
| Location: | 514,000 |
| Climate: | tropical; rainy, warm, cloudy southwest monsoon (mid-May to September); dry, cool northeast monsoon (November to mid-March); southern isthmus always hot and humid |
| Terrain: | central plain; Khorat Plateau in the east; mountains elsewhere |
| Size: | 514000 sq. km total (Land area: 511770 sq. km Water area: 2230 sq.km) |
| Population: | 65,493,298 |
| Languages: | Thai, English (secondary language of the elite), ethnic and regional dialects |
| Government: | constitutional monarchy |
| Capital city: | Bangkok |
| Legal system: | based on civil law system, with influences of common law; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction |
| Currency: | baht (THB) |
| Licensing: |
Country profile
Thailand has limited domestic oil production and reserves, and imports make up a significant portion of the country’s oil consumption. Thailand holds large proven reserves of natural gas, and natural gas production has increased substantially over the last few years. However, the country still remains dependent on imports of natural gas to meet growing domestic demand for the fuel. In September 2006, a military coup overthrew the government of Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra. The change in leadership did not have any immediate impact on oil or natural gas production.
During 2006, Thailand’s real gross domestic product (GDP) grew by an estimated 5.0 percent, right on trend with average 5-year growth levels.
Energy production and consumption
| Oil | Gas | |
| Production: | 310,900 bbl/day (2005 est.) | 22 billion cu m (2005 est.) |
| Consumption: | 929,000 bbl/day (2005 est.) | 31 billion cu m (2005 est.) |
| Exports: | 225,700 bbl/day (2005 est.) | |
| Imports: | 893,400 bbl/day (2005 est.) | 8 billion cu m (2005 est.) |
| Reserves: | 291 million bbl (1 January 2006 est.) | 400 billion cu m (2005 est.) |
| Major fields: |
Thailand - recent news
| 01 May 26 |
Thailand: PTTEP reports operating results for the first quarter of 2026 PTTEP has announced its operational progress for the first quarter of 2026, highlighting an accelerated ramp-up in natural gas production from domestic projects to maximum capacity. |
| 22 Apr 26 |
Thailand: Valeura Energy charters the Enterprise drilling rig Valeura Energy has agreed to charter the Shelf Drilling Enterprise jack-up drilling rig for a three-year term that runs to 31 December 2029. Valeura has an option on the start date, and currently plans to commence drilling operations with the rig in Q4 2026, initially focused on delivering production acceleration projects. |
| 09 Apr 26 |
Valeura Energy announces Q1 2026 operations update Valeura Energy has provided an operations and financial update for Q1 2026. Oil production averaged 22.3 mbbls/d, which was exactly in line with the plan for the quarter. |
| 09 Mar 26 |
Thailand clarifies fuel security measures Valeura Energy acknowledges decrees pertaining to Thailand’s new fuel security measures, as signed by Thailand’s Prime Minister and published in the Royal Thai Government Gazette on 06 March 2026. The decrees restrict immediately, exports of four major refined fuel categories, being gasoline/gasohol, diesel, jet A1 fuel, and liquified petroleum gas. The decrees do not impose restrictions on exporting crude oil. |
| 09 Mar 26 |
Thailand: Manora drilling exceeds management’s expectations Valeura Energy has announced completion of a successful infill drilling campaign at its Gulf of Thailand Manora field (Block G1/48, 70% operated working interest). |
Thailand - more news
Other countries in this region
- Australia,
- Bangladesh,
- Brunei,
- Cambodia,
- China,
- Fiji,
- Hong Kong,
- India,
- Indonesia,
- Japan,
- Laos,
- Malaysia,
- Maldives,
- Mongolia,
- Myanmar,
- Nepal,
- New Zealand,
- North Korea,
- Pakistan,
- Palau,
- Papua New Guinea,
- Philippines,
- Singapore,
- South Korea,
- Sri Lanka,
- Taiwan,
- Timor Leste,
- Vietnam
