BANGKOK, THAILAND – Multiple Thai provinces reported fuel shortages, with vehicles lining up for hours at gas stations as authorities moved to calm concerns and operators rationed supplies.
Queues begin a day in advance
At a station in Muang district of Chai Nat, drivers said on Thursday they had already queued there from 4 p.m. on 19 March.
Transport driver Niwat Promthong, 38, said the situation made everyday life increasingly difficult and that he arrived a day early as a precaution.
Priority for farmers and emergency services
The Chai Nat station said it gave priority to farmers and held back around 600 liters for rescue units, ambulances and other emergency vehicles.
These reserves were meant to ensure that medical transport and emergency operations did not fail at empty pumps, while regular customers had to wait longer.
Phayao posts ‘out of fuel’ signs
In Phayao, many stations displayed “out of fuel” signs, while those still operating were packed with cars and motorcycles.
Operators said allocations arrived irregularly, forcing them to limit sales or temporarily close individual pumps to stretch daily stocks.
Fears over prices and daily life
Many residents feared that the shortage would disrupt daily routines, push up transport costs and in turn drive prices for goods higher.
When supply chains slowed, it affected not only long-haul truckers but also markets and small shops that depended on daily deliveries.
Chiang Mai delivery drivers under pressure
In Chiang Mai, pickup driver Narong Boonma, who transported fresh produce, said business had become significantly more difficult.
He explained that he had weathered the pandemic and high fuel prices, but fuel had now become hard to find while there were fewer customers because the economy was weak.
Markets feel the gaps in the supply chain
A market vendor said the disruptions were already hitting supplies because some long-distance drivers rejected jobs for fear of running out of fuel en route.
“We cannot place orders for fresh fruit … drivers refuse long routes like Pathum Thani–Chiang Mai because they fear they will not get fuel on the way.”
said the vendor.
Government turns to 24-hour operations and inspections
After inspecting an oil depot in Pathum Thani that supplied 200 stations in the central provinces, Energy Minister Auttapol Rerkpiboon downplayed concerns about panic buying and announced 24-hour operations.
He acknowledged the long queues, described them as demand spikes and warned of consequences for anyone selling fuel at excessive prices or hoarding supplies.
Interior Ministry to check stocks in every district
Permanent secretary for the Interior Ministry Unsit Sampuntharat said his ministry would monitor fuel stocks at gas stations in all districts nationwide.
The aim was to manage available volumes efficiently and detect shortages early, before entire regions saw nothing but “out of fuel” signs.