Loei: People rushed to fill up their tanks, but many gas stations put up signs saying they were out of stock or had quantity limits. Retailers explained that this was a stock management measure to prevent shortages and urged the public not to panic or hoard.

According to Thai News Agency, reporters observed that several gas stations this morning had posted signs indicating a shortage of fuel and limiting the amount of fuel that could be dispensed. For example, the PT gas station in Nong Hin district, Loei province, temporarily closed its entrance with a gate and posted a sign stating that they were out of fuel due to the unusual fuel situation and apologized for the inconvenience. Some gas stations also limited diesel purchases to a maximum of 300 baht per vehicle to ensure equitable distribution of fuel. The stations explained that due to the high volume of customers filling their tanks, and the fact that most opted for a full tank instead of the usual 500 baht, fuel was depleting more rapidly than usual each day.

At gas stations in the Kangaroo Group in Chumphon and Ranong, fuel consumption has increased by 200-300% because other gas stations have run out of fuel, so customers are coming to refuel at the Kangaroo Group. Most of the customers are local farmers who use diesel for their durian orchards. The gas stations have announced a limit of 50 liters of diesel per container to prevent traders from hoarding fuel for resale after the subsidy period ends, when prices will rise. Farmers will have lower purchasing power. They also revealed that some customers brought 200-liter containers to buy fuel, but the stations refused to sell them to them because they intended to hoard. Previously, a gas station in Kraburi district had a Myanmar trader hire Thai workers to buy fuel in approximately 20 20-liter containers and several 50-liter containers. Therefore, they have had to control purchase quantities and instruct branch staff to prevent hoarding, as these traders have significant capital and the ability to stockpile fuel k nowing that prices will rise on March 18th. They emphasized that there is sufficient fuel and urged the public not to panic and hoard, while advising traders to manage their fuel stock effectively. To ensure a sufficient and uninterrupted supply, it was revealed yesterday that the amount of fuel can be limited to no more than 1,000 baht per vehicle, to prevent large vehicles from siphoning and storing the excess fuel.

The Ministry of Energy confirmed that there is no fuel shortage, as production volume remains normal and refineries have not reduced their fuel production. The reason many gas stations reported running low on fuel is due to a surge in consumer demand driven by fears of a fuel shortage and price increases. This caused a rush to fill up, resulting in abnormal fuel consumption and a rapid decrease in fuel levels at each station. Meanwhile, production capacity remains the same, and fuel transportation schedules are normal and have not decreased. The diesel subsidy measure is in effect until March 17, 2026.