National Security Council meets to assess readiness

The National Security Council (NSC) will meet on Monday to discuss potential security threats stemming from instability in the Middle East and cyberattacks, as the government steps up preparations for possible disruptions to energy supplies and supply chains.

The meeting, chaired by Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul at Government House this afternoon, is expected to consider establishing national food reserves and setting up an operations centre to monitor developments.

It follows a Nov 4 meeting led by NSC secretary-general Gen Chaipruak Doungprapat, who met security agencies and academics to assess the Middle East crisis and draw up four possible scenarios.

The scenarios range from an end to hostilities through negotiations, which would ease pressure on the global economy, to limited fighting that does not spread to other countries. A third scenario involves a short-lived escalation, while the worst-case scenario envisages prolonged and intensified fighting spreading across multiple areas, with far-reaching consequences for the global economy and international security.

Meanwhile, the Department of Internal Trade has reported no signs of consumer goods shortages despite increased purchasing amid growing calls in several countries for households to stockpile emergency supplies.

Director-general Wattanasak Sur-iam said the department was monitoring prices, stocks and purchasing patterns after several countries advised people to keep at least 72 hours' worth of essential supplies.

A Nov 4 meeting with major retailers, convenience store operators and consumer goods manufacturers found that overall sales had increased. However, businesses attributed the rise partly to flooding in some areas, salary payments at the beginning of the month and increased spending through the state welfare card and Thai Chuay Thai Plus schemes. Local retailers reported sales growth of about 5%.

Mr Wattanasak said businesses had confirmed that supplies remained adequate, with retailers maintaining stocks at distribution centres and manufacturers ready to increase production if necessary.

The department had also found no evidence of cyberattacks targeting refrigeration or temperature-control systems at storage and distribution facilities, but had urged businesses to remain vigilant, he added.

Separately, the Trade Policy and Strategy Office has warned that disruptions to major global energy routes could trigger a chain reaction, increasing import, production and transport costs and ultimately pushing up consumer prices.

Its director-general, Nantapong Chiralerspong, said diversifying sources of imports could reduce supply risks.