Udon thani: Residents in Udon Thani have been flocking to gas stations to refuel and, in some cases, sleeping there, as they scramble to cope with an impending fuel price hike.

According to Thai News Agency, the announcement of a fuel price increase, with diesel rising by 3.50 baht per liter and gasoline by 1.20 baht per liter, effective at 5:00 AM on April 2nd, prompted residents to rush to gas stations around 10:00 PM. At the PTT Jeffy gas station in Udon Thani, long queues of cars, trucks, and motorcycles formed, as people sought to fill up their tanks before the new prices took effect.

Many residents expressed concerns about the impact of the fuel price increase on their cost of living, particularly those who depend on vehicles for their work. Mr. Natee Nisita, a 37-year-old marble craftsman, explained that he has resorted to sleeping at a gas station for five consecutive nights. The commute between his workplace and his home in Ban Phue district, a distance of over 50 kilometers, has become financially unsustainable due to the rising fuel costs.

"Nong Four," a bus attendant, shared her struggles as well. She earns 500 baht a day when buses are operational, but the rising fuel prices have increased her daily expenses. With food costs ranging from 200-300 baht per day, she is left with limited funds for other necessities. Previously, 100 baht of fuel sufficed for her motorcycle for several days, but now she opts to walk short distances to conserve fuel.