Anutin Charnvirakul faces fossil fuel protests at Gastech Bangkok 2026

Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul opened the Gastech Bangkok 2026 Exhibition & Conference at BITEC, where he faced protests from environmental activists. Representatives from Greenpeace Thailand and networks of communities affected by the fossil fuel industry entered the event area to demand the government reconsider its role in hosting major fossil fuel industry groups.

Protesters carried signs such as ‘NO NEW FOSSIL GAS’ and ‘Stop Burapha Power Plant,’ while calling for the Prime Minister to receive their formal petition. Security teams escorted the Prime Minister through an alternative exit to avoid direct confrontation with the demonstrators. Anutin declined to comment on the protests or energy policy during his departure.

During his keynote address, Anutin outlined Thailand's energy strategy, aiming to position the country as an ASEAN energy hub. He emphasized a three-pronged approach: ensuring energy security through natural gas and LNG while increasing renewables, facilitating a real energy transition via a 50-billion-baht solar cell support project, and linking energy policy to economic investment and job creation.