BANGKOK – Thailand’s recent fuel shortage is beginning to settle, according to the Department of Energy Business (DOEB). After weeks of concern tied to tensions in the Middle East, officials said government action is helping fuel move more smoothly through the supply system and bringing some calm back to the market.
Drivers in several areas, especially in northern provinces such as Chiang Rai, have faced long waits, dry pumps, and growing uncertainty. Now, authorities say a set of targeted measures, including higher reserve requirements, 24-hour deliveries, and tighter reporting rules, should reduce pressure in the days ahead.
Government Moves to Fix Distribution Problems
Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul has ordered several steps to deal with delivery delays and discourage stockpiling. The main actions include:
- Raising oil reserves: Oil traders must lift mandatory reserves from 1% to 3% of annual sales volume. That amount equals about 11 days of average national fuel use, and traders must meet the target by the end of April.
- Allowing round-the-clock deliveries: Temporary limits on daytime-only oil truck movement in urban areas have been lifted. As a result, fuel trucks can now operate 24 hours a day across the country until April 30.
- Requiring daily reports: Refineries, depots, and traders operating under Sections 7 and 10 of the Fuel Trade Act must file daily reports by 6 p.m. These reports must list production levels, delivery volumes, buyers, and prices. The goal is to stop fuel from being diverted into unofficial channels.
At the same time, the DOEB has worked with the Department of Special Investigation (DSI) and local officials to release so-called dead stock from storage sites. Authorities have also inspected major depots across the country. They found no sign of widespread hoarding, but the checks have helped speed fuel movement to service stations.
Deputy Director-General Chatchai Khunlohit said the situation is improving, and better visibility across the supply chain is helping stations refill more consistently.
Why Northern Thailand Stands to Benefit Most
Northern Thailand, including Chiang Rai, Chiang Mai, and nearby border areas, has felt the impact more than many other regions. Diesel is central to farming, freight, and tourism there, so supply problems quickly caused wider disruption. Panic buying made things worse.
In Chiang Rai, drivers recently described lines of dozens of vehicles at gas stations, sometimes forming before sunrise. Some stations had to turn customers away after running out of diesel altogether.
Others received only a small share of their normal deliveries, in some cases just one-third of the usual amount. On certain days, several stations in the province had no diesel left at all, forcing drivers to travel farther or pay more for other options.
Farmers and bus operators warned that weak diesel supply could lead to higher fares or service cuts. Still, officials said the issue did not come from a lack of national fuel reserves. Thailand still holds more than 100 days of supply.
The main causes were delivery slowdowns, a jump in demand linked to Middle East concerns, and early panic buying that pushed daily use higher than normal.
The latest measures focus directly on those weak points:
- Quicker deliveries to the North: 24-hour truck access should help remote stations receive fuel more often and cut the risk of empty pumps.
- Larger reserve buffers: Moving to 3% mandatory reserves gives the system more breathing room during demand spikes.
- Closer tracking of supply: Daily reporting should help direct fuel to high-demand areas like Chiang Rai and reduce the chance of local shortages.
DOEB officials expect lines to shrink over the next one to two weeks as fuel distribution improves. The launch of the “Fuel Now” app today should also help drivers check station stock in real time, so they can plan refueling stops and avoid wasted trips.
National Fuel Stocks Remain Strong
Even with pressure from global markets, Thailand’s overall fuel position remains stable. The country has about 103 days of combined reserves, including commercial stock, legal reserves, fuel in transit, and contracted supply. Refineries are also producing enough to meet, and in some cases exceed, demand for both gasoline and diesel. Current daily output is around 35 million liters of gasoline and 80 million liters of diesel base fuel.
The government has also raised the biodiesel mix in diesel from 5% to 7% for now. That step should stretch available supply and reduce the need for imports. Meanwhile, inspections at major storage sites found no sign of organized hoarding, which supports the view that the shortage came mostly from logistics problems and a surge in demand.
Prime Minister Anutin has asked the public not to rush out and buy more fuel than needed. He said supply is enough when distribution works properly. Authorities are also watching prices closely, and some temporary limits or caps on diesel remain in place to help protect consumers.
What Drivers in Chiang Rai and Other Northern Provinces Can Expect
For everyday drivers in northern Thailand, the easing shortage should bring clear and practical benefits:
- Shorter lines: Stations in Chiang Rai should see less crowding as deliveries become more regular.
- Steadier diesel supply: That matters for pick-up trucks, farm equipment, buses, and other vehicles widely used across the region.
- Less time wasted: The “Fuel Now” app can help drivers find stations with available stock before heading out.
- More stable local prices: Global oil prices may still move, but government monitoring should help limit sudden price jumps in affected areas.
Tourism businesses around Chiang Rai should also see some relief. During the worst of the shortage, many drivers hesitated to travel because finding fuel felt uncertain. As supply improves, that pressure should begin to fade.
The DOEB is urging people to buy fuel as usual and avoid storing extra amounts. Excess buying could create the same kind of bottlenecks again. In the North, provincial energy offices are also working closely with stations to give priority to key services such as emergency vehicles and public transport.
Longer-Term Plans for Energy Security
These emergency steps are part of a wider plan to strengthen Thailand’s energy system over time. The government is working to widen its import sources, support greater use of ethanol and biodiesel, and improve fuel tracking with digital tools.
Middle East tensions still have the power to affect oil markets, so officials are not declaring the problem over just yet. Full recovery may take until late April, while reserves build and the transport system fully adjusts.
For now, the DOEB’s message is simple. The worst part of the fuel shortage appears to be passing, and drivers in northern Thailand, especially those who dealt with long lines and empty diesel pumps, should soon see a smoother and more reliable supply.
