BANGKOK – Thailand is preparing contingency plans for possible international crises, including disruptions to energy supplies and the wider economy if tensions between the United States and Iran escalate into military conflict, the National Security Council (NSC) secretary-general said on Friday.
Gen. Chaiyaphruek Duangpraphat, the National Security Council (NSC) secretary-general said government agencies were already preparing for different levels of emergency, following reports that several countries had advised their citizens to stock enough food and drinking water to last 72 hours.
He stressed that Thailand’s preparations did not mean the country was facing an imminent crisis, but were intended to ensure that government agencies, emergency plans and the public were ready if the situation deteriorated.
The NSC plans to invite relevant agencies and academics to discuss possible response measures, potentially during the weekend or on 4 November.
Chaiyaphruek said the government would prepare information for the public and communicate it at an appropriate time.
On the possibility of renewed conflict in the Middle East, he said Thai intelligence agencies were closely monitoring military deployments and diplomatic movements involving the countries concerned to assess the likelihood and potential severity of an escalation.
He confirmed that the Foreign Ministry and Defence Ministry already had plans to evacuate Thai nationals from affected areas, with the two agencies holding daily discussions on preparedness.
Thailand has also prepared contingency plans for energy reserves, initially developed during an earlier crisis, and would review the details to address possible new scenarios.
Cybersecurity agencies, including the Ministry of Digital Economy and Society, were also preparing for potential cyberattacks, he said.
Asked about the possible impact of a US-Iran confrontation, Chaiyaphruek said energy supplies would be among the areas most directly affected, with wider consequences for the Thai economy.
He said Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul had instructed the NSC to identify areas requiring advance preparation and ensure that relevant measures were in place.
