‘I have never seen something like this before’: Thailand fuel queues grow as price hike looms

Drivers and truckers in Samut Sakhon province faced fuel shortages on Sunday (March 15) as a rush to refuel led some petrol stations to temporarily run out of fuel, especially diesel, amid looming price rises.

The Thai government froze diesel prices for 15 days in early March, a measure set to expire on Monday (March 16).

“The gas station has limited trucks to 5,000 baht ($154) per fill and jerry cans to 50 litres,” said a senior cashier of the gas station, Pennapa Keawprapai.

“I have never seen something like this before,” Pennapa told Reuters as sales spiked.

The government will decide how to adjust the price once the freeze ends, Thai Deputy Prime Minister and Transport Minister Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn said on Friday (March 13).

Production: Artorn Pookasook, Napat Wesshasartar/Reuters