The mandate, effective immediately, follows a high-level meeting on 2nd March 2026 chaired by Deputy Minister Chanthaboun Souk-aloun. The ministry has instructed provincial departments, fuel associations, and distributors to prioritise the supply of petrol stations over private bulk buyers to ensure the public can access fuel through standard channels.

Under the new regulations, fuel importers and distributors are required to submit daily supply reports to the Department of Domestic Trade by 16:00. To prevent panic buying and artificial shortages, petrol stations must remain open during regular hours. Any temporary closure requires three days’ prior notice to local authorities and the public.

"Strict measures will be enforced against hoarding or the unjustified refusal to supply fuel," the Ministry warned, noting that violators of Decree 559/GOV will face severe fines.

Despite the regional volatility, Deputy Minister Souk-aloun reassured the public that current imports remain stable. On 2nd March, over 10 million litres were imported at standard prices. Officials confirmed that coordination with Thai counterparts remains robust, with no export restrictions currently in place due to the deep energy and trade cooperation between Laos and Thailand.

While the government is actively exploring alternative import sources to bolster long-term energy security, current reserves held by domestic companies are deemed sufficient to meet immediate demand. Authorities have urged citizens not to engage in speculative storage, as the country maintains a steady influx of petroleum through its strategic partnerships.

KPL