Thailand is grappling with a surge in fuel prices and localized shortages triggered by escalating global oil costs amid Middle East tensions. According to associated media reports, panic buying has led to long queues at gas stations, empty pumps in provinces, and purchase limits, even as the government insists national reserves remain sufficient for 96–101 days.
Recent adjustments illustrate the pressure. On March 21st, 2026, diesel prices rose by 70 satang per liter (to around 31.14 baht), while gasoline and gasohol increased by 1 baht per liter. Diesel remains capped at 33 baht per liter through Oil Fund subsidies, with phased hikes of 50 satang–1 baht planned to avoid sudden shocks. Earlier freezes held diesel at 29.94 baht for 15 days, but distribution bottlenecks and heightened demand from large users shifting to retail stations have created visible shortages.
In border areas like Mae Sot (Tak province), lines stretched kilometers, prompting some to monetize queues. Similar scenes have emerged nationwide, with stations imposing 500–2,000 baht limits per vehicle and closing early. Pattaya has not been spared: multiple PTT stations reportedly ran dry, leaving speedboat operators to Koh Larn operating under fill restrictions and Chinese tour groups anxious about airport transfers.
While the government maintains there is no nationwide shortage and production runs at full capacity, Thai media speaks about a growing “crisis of confidence” that is already denting domestic tourism, especially ahead of Songkran, the Thai New Year and most popular travel period of the year.
A Nida Poll conducted March 17–18, 2026 (1,310 respondents nationwide) captured the mood starkly:
– 31.76% described themselves as “quite alarmed” by the fuel situation.
– 44.28% expressed no confidence that the claimed 98-day reserves would hold or that the government could secure additional supplies.
– On Songkran travel plans if the crisis persists: 57.56% had no plans to begin with; 14.80% cancelled entirely; only 12.06% intended to proceed unchanged. Smaller shares said they would adjust routes, destinations, or transport modes.
People’s Party MP Sittipol Wibulthanakul voiced the concerns of tourism operators in an interview, warning that domestic travel has “stalled” because Thais fear running out of fuel en route to secondary destinations. He cited specific examples: empty PTT pumps across Pattaya, northern routes from Ang Thong to Sukhothai with stations depleted and strict limits, and southern highways (Chumphon to Nakhon Si Thammarat) where fuel vanished by 9 a.m. “If Thais don’t feel confident they can refuel, who will drive?” he asked, urging a real-time national fuel-station dashboard.
The Thai Hotels Association (THA) echoed the alarm. President Thienprasit Chaiyaphatranan stressed that the fear of no fuel available outweighs high prices for tourism impact. Over half of domestic trips rely on private cars; when drivers must circle multiple stations only to find pumps dry, plans collapse. He warned that foreign visitors renting cars face the same frustration, potentially damaging Thailand’s image far beyond the price of a liter of diesel.
Seven major tourism associations under the Federation of Thai Tourism Enterprises (FETTA) have jointly proposed urgent measures: 14 billion baht in targeted relief, dedicated fuel quotas for the sector, a “One Million Buses Travel Thailand” campaign, and co-pay incentives to boost inter-provincial trips before Songkran.
Higher transport costs are already rippling through the economy. The State Railway of Thailand (SRT) burns 8–9 million liters of diesel monthly and now faces losses projected to exceed 18 billion baht in 2026. Logistics operators report 12% cost increases, while SMEs and road-based tours feel the squeeze hardest.
The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) has responded by intensifying its “travel close to home” campaign and convening war-room meetings, but operators say confidence, not just price, must be restored quickly.
As Songkran approaches, the combination of higher pump prices and patchy availability is testing whether Thais will hit the road or stay home.
For the original version of this article, please visit The Pattaya News.
