AYUTTHAYA, THAILAND – Several fuel stations in Nakhon Luang district were without diesel for up to three days, forcing drivers to search from one station to the next for fuel and disrupting traffic on a key highway.
Fuel stations report empty diesel tanks
Along main and secondary roads in Nakhon Luang, many pumps reportedly had no diesel available on 14 March.
Reporters at the scene confirmed that some stations had sold out the previous evening, while others, according to staff, had been without diesel for as long as three days.
Asian Highway 1 disruption hits tourists and transit traffic
The shortages particularly affected travellers and tourists using Asian Highway 1 as it passed through Nakhon Luang.
The route was described as a central corridor linking central Thailand with the northeast, meaning that even brief disruptions quickly led to detours and time losses for road users.
Warnings spread on social media
Local residents used social media to warn drivers of diesel vehicles not to set off with a low fuel level.
These posts reflected the situation in which many affected motorists only discovered at the pump that diesel was currently unavailable in their area.
Frustration at the pump and suspicions of stockpiling
Staff at fuel stations reported that they had spent much of the day explaining the situation to angry customers.
Some drivers, according to reports, voiced suspicions that diesel might be held back out of concern over possible price increases, while the global oil market was seen as volatile due to ongoing conflicts.
Premium diesel still available in isolated cases
A survey in Nakhon Luang found that most stations no longer had any diesel in stock.
One station on the city-bound side of Asian Highway 1 near the Ban Ma railway bridge and the Kung Market area reportedly still had premium diesel, while the regular grade had already sold out.
Authorities urged to clarify cause
Many owners of diesel vehicles began planning their journeys more cautiously, especially on routes that led from Asian Highway 1 onward to tourist destinations and into the northeast.
Residents called on the responsible authorities to investigate the cause of the shortage, whether it involved distribution problems or possible hoarding, in order to restore the confidence of affected motorists.
“Should authorities provide faster and more transparent information during regional fuel shortages so that travellers and residents can plan reliably?”
said local commentators, reflecting concerns raised by the situation.
“What experiences have people had in recent days in Ayutthaya or on Asian Highway 1, and how was the problem solved on the ground?”
said residents, inviting further reports from those affected.