Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) Imports — - Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) Imports refer to the total volume of liquefied natural gas received by a country from international suppliers during a given year. LNG is natural gas that has been cooled to approximately −162°C, converting it into a liquid state to facilitate efficient storage and long-distance transportation by specialized LNG carriers. The indicator is typically measured in billion cubic meters (bcm) after regasification or in equivalent LNG volumes and represents the amount of imported LNG entering a country's energy supply. LNG Imports are a key indicator of natural gas trade, energy security, import dependency, and the diversification of natural gas supply sources.
It serves as an important indicator of electricity generation demand, domestic gas supply requirements, energy diversification, and the increasing role of LNG within Thailand’s energy system.
Thailand imported 3.6 bcm of LNG in 2015, increasing to 3.9 bcm in 2016 and 5.2 bcm in 2017. Imports continued to grow to 6.0 bcm in 2018, 6.7 bcm in 2019, and 7.5 bcm in 2020. LNG imports expanded further to 9.2 bcm in 2021 and 11.5 bcm in 2022 before reaching a review-period high of 16.1 bcm in 2023, reflecting sustained growth throughout the period.
Overall, the dataset indicates a strong and consistent upward trend in Thailand’s LNG imports between 2015 and 2023. Rising import volumes were supported by increasing electricity generation requirements, declining domestic natural gas production, expanding industrial demand, and greater dependence on imported LNG to maintain reliable energy supplies. The significant increase in 2023 reflected continued diversification of gas sourcing, expansion of LNG infrastructure, and growing demand across the power and industrial sectors.
The dataset is valuable for evaluating Thailand’s LNG import outlook, analyzing import dynamics, and assessing future energy requirements. It supports market research, infrastructure planning, investment evaluation, and policy development while providing insights for researchers, industry stakeholders, analysts, and policymakers monitoring energy security, LNG trade trends, supply diversification, and the evolving role of imported natural gas in Thailand’s energy landscape.