Fuel shortage woes

[Gaybutton]

As far as I know, the fuel situation in Pattaya is at relatively normal and stable levels and long queues are not forming - at least for the time being. However, I am relying on what I am being told. After I managed to find fuel and top off my car's tank, as I mentioned in another topic, I have been driving only out of necessity for the time being, so I have not been witnessing anything myself. I plan to keep it that way until I am sure fuel will be available and will stay available. Sorry government, but I am much more interested in what people are actually experiencing than I am about your assurances.

If any of you have noticed anything about Pattaya's fuel situation, please post.
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Motorists say ‘Price doesn’t matter, just let us fill up’ as fuel queues stretch in Sri Racha

By Pattaya Mail

March 21, 2026

Long lines of motorists stretched for more than a kilometer outside a fuel station operated by Thai Oil in Sri Racha on March 20, as drivers rushed to refill their tanks after learning the station was allowing fuel purchases without strict limits.

The station, located in front of the Thai Oil Refinery in Thung Sukhla, saw heavy traffic from early morning as residents and transport operators flocked to fill up amid concerns about fuel availability and rising global oil prices linked to tensions involving Iran, United States, and Israel.

According to on-site observations, vehicles lined up for more than one kilometer while station staff were deployed to manage the queues and keep traffic orderly. Many motorists were seen bringing additional fuel containers and large jerry cans to store extra fuel.

The cooperative fuel station said it has sufficient supply and continues operating daily from 5:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. to serve the public.

Viroj Yimsawat, a 57-year-old trailer truck driver, said he traveled to the station after hearing it allowed fuel purchases without strict limits.

“Right now it’s very difficult to find fuel at some stations,” he said. “Friends of mine have been waiting for two days in Singburi just to refill their trucks. Here in Chonburi we can still get fuel, so I came to queue.”

He added that some stations have either run out of fuel or imposed strict limits on how much motorists can buy, forcing drivers to search from station to station with nearly empty tanks.

Many motorists said they understand that higher fuel prices are driven by global factors, but their main concern is ensuring fuel remains available.

“If the price has to go up, people can accept it,” he said. “But we just want to make sure there’s fuel available.”

Station staff confirmed that after news spread that the station was allowing motorists to refill without strict limits, the number of customers surged dramatically, prompting the deployment of additional personnel to organize traffic and manage the queues.

https://www.pattayamail.com/news/motori ... cha-540122
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Fuel panic spreads as pumps run dry

Thailand's energy challenges are mounting as war rages in the Middle East, with more people uneasy as officials scramble to address oil supply concerns.

by Somruedi Banchongduang, Wichit Chantanusornsiri and Kuakul Mornkum

March 23, 2026

Long queues at petrol stations across Thailand and "out of fuel" signs for diesel, the backbone of the transport sector, have raised public concern over the past week about the country's ability to manage energy reserves.

The situation also highlighted what appears to be weak crisis communication, which helped fuel unnecessary panic. This contrasts with many other countries that did not experience widespread fuel hoarding during the same period.

As the new government takes shape, businesses are looking for clear measures to tackle looming energy challenges, especially as developments in the Middle East have weighed on Thailand's transport and energy sectors for weeks.

LIMITED INTERVENTION

Pipat Luengnaruemitchai, chief economist at Kiatnakin Phatra Financial Group, said rising global oil prices would directly affect households, particularly low-income groups that rely heavily on oil and gas.

The government must communicate clearly with the public to help them prepare for tighter conditions, particularly if energy prices are liberalised and allowed to rise, in line with the market, he said.

"In terms of energy subsidies, support measures should be targeted at lower-income groups to help them cope with rising costs, rather than applied broadly," said Mr Pipat.

Over the medium to long term, he said the government should diversify energy import sources to reduce risk, while also accelerating the development of alternative energy and promoting wider public adoption.

Alternative energy accounts for less than 20% of Thailand's total energy usage, compared with around 50% or more in advanced economies.

Energy conservation is crucial for households during the crisis, said Mr Pipat, urging households to assess their expenses and identify practical ways to reduce costs based on their individual circumstances. The need and ability to cut, reduce, or eliminate energy consumption varies across households, he noted.

Nonarit Bisonyabut, research fellow at Thailand Development Research Institute, said everyone in the country must help share the energy crisis burden so the nation can get through it.

He said he expects the war in Iran to end within three months or less.

The government should not excessively intervene on oil prices because the public needs to know global prices are rising in order to ensure the burden is distributed across all sectors, rather than falling too heavily on any single group, said Mr Nonarit.

"If everyone shares the burden, the problem will be manageable and the country can move forward. But if the burden is placed on one sector, it will become a prolonged issue. We should avoid full government intervention, as people may not recognise global oil prices are rising," he said.

Oil prices should be allowed to rise gradually, with only partial intervention, noted Mr Nonarit.

However, during this period the government must be vigilant about businesses that may exploit consumers or seek excessive profits without bearing any of the burden themselves, he said.

Mr Nonarit said authorities need to ensure clarity and proper oversight, such as verifying whether reports that refineries have increased marketing margins are accurate, or whether hoarding is taking place.

If global crude oil prices exceed US$100 per barrel and remain elevated for more than three months, he said this is beyond what the country's economic fundamentals can withstand and the government may need to step up intervention, such as reducing excise taxes on oil.

However, intervention should be limited to only what is necessary, said Mr Nonarit.

The best-case scenario is the war concluding within three months, but he said preparations must include a prolonged conflict.

Mr Nonarit predicts Thai GDP is unlikely to contract this year, as exports still have positive momentum in sectors unrelated to oil.

He said the main issue is inflation as GDP growth may tally 1.6-1.8% this year. A reduced growth figure would be the result of elevated oil prices for more than four months, which Mr Nonarit said is unlikely.

Somchai Pornrattanacharoen, honorary advisor to the Thai Wholesale and Retail Trade Association, also opposes subsidising petrol prices.

He urged the government not to borrow or create new public debt for fuel subsidies, instead letting fuel prices reflect actual market conditions.

Mr Somchai advised against subsidising fuel costs related to logistics, as these mainly benefit wealthier people who own larger, less fuel-efficient vehicles.

Instead, he suggested the government focus its budget on lowering daily living costs, such as subsidising public transport and increasing service frequency during rush hours.

While some analysts predict higher product prices due to rising logistics costs, Mr Somchai said the government should address the issue from a different angle. Many goods are sold at malls or on delivery platforms, which adds costs to the final price. He proposed the government reduce costs by providing free rental space for vendors, which would lower product prices by eliminating rental and gross profit costs, offering more choices for consumers with limited purchasing power.

"The government should avoid taking on new debt because it could make the country financially vulnerable if the conflict continues," said Mr Somchai.

SYSTEM-WIDE IMPACT

Bus operators expect travel to slow during the Songkran holiday due to ongoing fears of an oil shortage and rising energy prices. They urged the government to improve oil supply management and implement gradual price adjustments to ease the impact on consumers.

Wasuchet Sophonsathien, advisor to the Thai Transportation Operators Association, said bus operators are under pressure from the Middle East conflict and what they deem as ineffective government energy policies.

Operators are concerned about limited fuel supplies at petrol stations and fuel rationing, which could disrupt tours nationwide and weaken traveller confidence, he said.

Long queues and fuel quotas were reported at petrol stations across the country, caused by bottlenecks in refining and fuel delivery.

Mr Wasuchet said fuel typically accounts for 60-70% of bus operating costs. During the start of the Russia-Ukraine conflict, diesel prices reached 34 baht a litre, and a one‑baht increase can raise operating expenses by around 3%.

He said operators accept that fuel prices must eventually reflect global market rates, but they want measures to soften the impact on consumers such as tax reductions or gradual adjustments.

In addition, the government must be clearer and more transparent in its communications to ensure sufficient fuel for all sectors, said Mr Wasuchet.

Teerin Tanyawattanakul, managing director of Soonthorn Tanyasap, which produces Kaijae bagged rice, said rising oil prices have pushed up logistics costs, while oil supply chain disruptions elevate plastic prices. These factors have directly impacted both packaging production and its cost.

He said he is more concerned about the availability of packaging than its price.

"It's better to secure packaging at higher prices than to face a shortage," said Mr Teerin.

However, he said he remains optimistic the government will be able to secure oil from alternative sources.

"Costs will rise, but I don't expect there to be a major shortage," said Mr Teerin.

The company uses oil for transport throughout the supply chain, from sourcing raw materials to delivering finished products to customers. The plant operates on electricity, with solar cells supplying a portion of its power needs.

To lower operational costs, he said the company is optimising its logistics, such as carefully planning deliveries to ensure trucks are at full capacity.

COAL OPTION

Kobsak Pootrakool, senior executive vice-president at Bangkok Bank and its chief economist, proposed coal be used as a temporary option to help manage Thailand's energy needs amid a surge in global energy prices.

"Thailand has sufficient coal supply, and existing coal-fired power plants are ready to resume production, even as fossil fuels are being phased down. During the Russia-Ukraine war, many countries have temporarily reverted to coal power," he said.

In addition, the government should secure concessions for natural gas fields in Myanmar as part of a longer-term strategy to ensure adequate energy supply, said Mr Kobsak. Authorities should also accelerate the development and expansion of solar power and electric vehicles, he said.

Government incentives would help encourage adoption of alternative energy among both businesses and households.

Mr Kobsak said if the conflict ends within the next few weeks, Brent crude prices could stabilise at $92-95 per barrel.

The intensity of the war has already begun to ease, reflected in a slowdown in missile attacks by both the US and Iran, he noted. If the conflict continues to moderate, Thailand's energy strategy would remain manageable, said Mr Kobsak.

However, if the conflict drags on and pushes global oil prices to $110-120 per barrel, managing energy supply and costs would become significantly more challenging.

Even if the war ends soon, he warned that prolonged terrorist attacks could emerge, and all parties should prepare for ongoing geopolitical risks and uncertainty.

ADOPTING BIOFUELS

Energy officials are working on a plan to lift biofuel consumption as Thailand seeks to reduce its reliance on imported oil, with supply disruptions marring the industry.

The Department of Energy Business (DOEB) said the plan could include making biofuel use mandatory, a move considered urgent if the war continues through the Songkran festival in mid-April.

Sarawut Kaewtathip, director-general of the DOEB, said officials are considering whether to require greater use of ethanol -- a biofuel produced from sugar cane and cassava -- or rely solely on pricing mechanisms to encourage motorists to switch to gasohol blends with higher ethanol content.

The Thai Sugar Millers Corporation promoted use of gasohol E20, which contains 20% ethanol, as the country's primary fuel, which could cut crude oil imports by 2.9 million litres per day, or nearly 1.06 billion litres annually. Energy officials aim to encourage wider use of E20 by keeping its price lower than gasohol 91 and 95, which contain only 10% ethanol.

Officials are also examining hiking the proportion of palm oil-derived methyl ester in diesel fuel to expand biodiesel use, but the move would affect palm oil producers, methyl ester manufacturers and diesel vehicle owners.

An Energy Ministry source who requested anonymity noted diesel engines are designed for a 10% methyl ester blend, and higher proportions could risk engine damage.

The DOEB recently announced a temporary increase in the methyl ester blending ratio in diesel fuel from 5% to 7% by volume for three months, from March 14 to June 13, 2026. The measure follows a resolution by the Energy Policy and Planning Administration on March 9 meant to mitigate fuel price volatility and reduce oil imports amid global market instability.

Thailand is also diversifying its crude oil sources beyond the Middle East, as caretaker energy minister Auttapol Rerkpiboon said last week the country secured additional supplies from the US and Angola.

KHARG ISLAND

Wikij Tirawannarat, senior vice-president of Bualuang Securities, said investors are most concerned about the conflict escalating, especially US-Israeli strikes on Iran's oil facilities on Kharg Island.

Kharg Island is about 20 square kilometres in size and sits in the Persian Gulf, 25km from the Iranian mainland. It is Iran's largest export terminal for oil, with about 90% of the country's oil passing through the hub. The US already struck military targets on the island.

Investors also question how long the Thai government can subsidise petrol prices given limited financial resources, he said, adding he predicts the Oil Fuel Fund to offer a subsidy for a month if crude rises to $120 per barrel.

https://www.bangkokpost.com/business/ge ... ps-run-dry

[2lz2p]

I had a doctor's appointment this morning at Bangkok Hospital Pattaya. We passed several gas stations on Sukhumvit. All were open and there were some vehicles but no lines. I know of 2 cases where the drivers were told no fuel, but in both cases, they were able to get fuel the next day. One was traveling from Bangkok to Pattaya (diesel) and the other was yesterday, planning to travel from Chaiyaphum to Pattaya today.

[Gaybutton]

Thank you 2lz2p. Your post is very helpful to many people, including me.

[Gaybutton]

Another problem has been greedy people and businesses in a position to take advantage of the situation lining their own pockets by unfair and illegal practices.
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Thai Prime Minister Orders Immediate Nationwide Crackdown on Fuel Hoarding and Illegal Oil Smuggling

By Adam Judd

March 27, 2026

Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul has directed an urgent, comprehensive crackdown on fuel hoarding and the illegal smuggling of oil out of Thailand, wanting to safeguard the country’s energy supply and protect consumers from artificial shortages and price distortions.

Acting in his capacity as Director of the Internal Security Operations Command (ISOC), the Prime Minister issued the directive on Friday March 27th following an emergency meeting with the Commander-in-Chief of the Royal Thai Army and the Army Chief of Staff. The order takes effect immediately and mobilizes ISOC resources across the nation to tighten oversight of the entire fuel supply chain, from refineries to retail pumps.

Under the new measures, ISOC’s Energy Security Center will closely monitor production and distribution at refineries to prevent any diversion of oil supplies for illegal purposes. Provincial ISOC units, working alongside border defense forces, will step up surveillance of transportation routes, with particular attention to high-risk border areas where smuggling is believed to be occurring due to price differences with neighboring countries.

At the retail level, joint inspection teams will carry out random checks at gas stations nationwide. Authorities will look for signs of excessive stockpiling, unusual sales patterns, or other irregularities that could indicate hoarding or unlawful activities.

The government has said that this is designed to ensure energy stability, maintain fair and transparent pricing for the Thai public, and uphold integrity in the country’s energy sector amid recent concerns over supply disruptions and rising consumption.

Officials have encouraged the public to report any suspicious activity related to fuel hoarding or smuggling by calling the hotline 1374 or messaging the LINE official account @promchuay.

This crackdown comes as part of broader efforts to address volatility in the energy market, including recent price adjustments intended to reduce incentives for illegal exports while protecting domestic consumers. Authorities have stressed that legitimate businesses have nothing to fear, provided they comply with regulations, and that the focus remains on those exploiting the system for undue profit.

https://thepattayanews.com/2026/03/27/t ... smuggling/