CHIANG MAI – A rescue foundation leader is asking gas stations to ease a rule that limits fuel purchases to 500 baht per vehicle per day. He says the cap is making emergency medical work harder across Thailand, and it could put patients at greater risk. The issue follows tighter fuel conditions linked to the Middle East conflict and wider energy concerns.
Sahachat Limcharoenphakdi, president of the Phetkasem Foundation, said many stations now restrict how much fuel each vehicle can buy. While that might help manage shortages, he says it hits ambulances and rescue units first because they can’t pause operations when fuel runs low and may cost lives.
The foundation runs more than 20 emergency medical units nationwide, including in Chiang Mai, Lamphun, Nan, Yasothon, Amnat Charoen, Rayong, and Bangkok. In rural areas, an ambulance often travels more than 40 kilometers round-trip per call. On an average day, teams handle over 10 emergency cases. With a 500-baht cap, he said one ambulance can typically complete only 2 to 3 calls before needing more fuel.
He also pointed to the foundation’s normal readiness standard. Each ambulance should stay fueled and ready at all times. When fuel drops to half a tank, the team treats it as “must refuel now” to keep 24-hour coverage. However, under current limits, some vehicles can’t even refill to half a tank. As a result, crews may face delays, or worse, they may not have enough fuel to reach a patient in time.
The problem doesn’t stop with ambulances. Rescue operations also rely on fuel-powered equipment. For example, hydraulic cutters and spreaders used in vehicle crash rescues need fuel to run. Air compressors that refill scuba tanks for search and recovery teams also require fuel, especially during missions to locate missing persons or recover items underwater.
In addition, he said some areas restrict fuel sales in containers. That creates another barrier when crews try to help stranded drivers who run out of gas mid-route. If responders can’t buy fuel in a jerry can, they can’t deliver it to people stuck on the road.
Because of these impacts, the foundation is asking gas stations and relevant agencies to consider expanding fuel purchase limits for clearly marked ambulances and rescue vehicles. He stressed the request isn’t about special treatment. Instead, he said, emergency services deal directly with life-and-death situations, so they need practical access to fuel to keep serving the public.
On March 15 to 16, local reporters in Chiang Mai visited multiple gas stations in the city. Some stations still had fuel, while others had already run out. Meanwhile, many residents continued lining up to fill their tanks.
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