BANGKOK – Drivers across Thailand started the week with record-high fuel costs. Diesel passed 40 baht per liter for the first time. Other fuels rose fast, too. The government cut subsidies from the Oil Fuel Fund, which already faced big strains.
In northern spots like Chiang Rai and Chiang Mai, things got worse. People wait in long lines at gas stations. Some places run out by noon. Songkran, the Thai New Year, is coming soon. So folks worry about trips and shops.
Tensions in the Middle East drove up global oil prices. Crude and diesel costs jumped everywhere. Thailand’s Oil Fuel Fund keeps pump prices steady. But pressure built fast. Officials cut subsidies late one night. Changes hit March 31, 2026.
At PTT stations, high-speed diesel now costs 40.74 baht per liter. That number shocks many Thais. They hoped it would stay below 40. Gasoline and gasohol went up, too. Higher import bills and less funding caused it.
Experts say the fund’s losses grew quickly. Daily payouts hit limits no one could keep. So they adjusted to save the fund long-term. The government thought about tax cuts. But pump prices rose first for quick fixes.
Latest PTT Prices in Chiang Rai, Chiang Mai, and Bangkok
Major PTT stations show the same prices north and in Bangkok. Here’s the update from March 31, 2026:
- High-speed diesel: 40.74 baht per liter
- B7 premium diesel: 56.44 baht per liter
- Gasoline 95: 50.64 baht per liter
- Gasohol 95: 42.05 baht per liter
- Premium gasohol 95: 53.04 baht per liter
- Gasohol E20: 37.05 baht per liter
- Gasohol E85: 33.79 baht per liter
- Gasohol 91: 41.68 baht per liter
Several types hit all-time highs. A 50-liter tank now costs hundreds more baht than a few weeks back. Families and small drivers feel the hit quickly.
Fuel Shortages Hit Northern Thailand Hard
Prices rose everywhere. However, the north deals with real shortages too. Chiang Rai and Chiang Mai see long lines, mostly for diesel. Drivers wait over an hour sometimes. Bike riders cut in line where they can.
In Chiang Rai, 80 to 90 cars line the highways. Workers use megaphones to guide them. Stations get just one-third of their normal diesel. So they close early or limit sales. Chiang Mai bus firms like Greenbus face route cuts. They might raise fares because fuel bites deeper into budgets.
A delivery guy in Chiang Rai vented. He used to earn 1,800 baht daily. Now lines and fewer jobs leave him with 300 to 400 baht. His story shows how workers suffer most.
Supplies stay low. April and May crude shipments miss demand by millions of barrels. Analysts push for priority to key needs. They want to save energy steps too. Officials claim stocks cover the nation. But trucks lag too far-north spots.
Songkran Travelers Worry About Costs and Lines
Songkran means fun, splashes, family time, and big travel rushes. This year, high prices and empty pumps worry everyone. Many pick short drives or stay home to save cash. Travel groups predict 20 to 30 percent drops in some spots.
Thailand’s Tourism Authority expects 30 billion baht still. But island and north operators fret. Bus, van, and taxi fares climb with fuel. Some skip long roads over pump fears.
A Chiang Mai hotel boss noted softer bookings. Guests ask about gas first. If drives get tough, they bail. Planes might gain riders. Road trips, Songkran’s heart, take the biggest blow.
The government says better trucking and checks will cover holiday needs. Still, doubt hangs in the north.
Chiang Rai Businesses Brace for Tough Times
Shops in Chiang Rai and nearby prep for pain. Taxi folks, tour guides, farmers, and truckers need diesel badly. Higher costs and spotty supplies make days pricier and chancier.
Market truckers skip runs to save fuel. Restaurants see less foot traffic. People cut travel budgets. Farmers pay more for pumps and gear right before planting.
A local business group member said margins were thin already. Extra fuel cost kills profits directly. Fewer Songkran crowds mean bigger hits. Chiang Mai shares the worry. Tourism and trucks prop up their economy.
Firms try better trucks or new paths. But options stay few. Local growth could stall if shortages last.
Watchers track world markets each day. Dubai crude and Singapore diesel hold high. So local jumps might come. Government eyes tax cuts. Those could slash billions from taxes monthly.
Energy Ministry reps note Thailand beats some ASEAN spots on price. Yet 40-baht diesel shakes trust. Drivers, top off tanks soon. Plan routes smart. Try rideshares or buses. Save fuel to stretch holiday stocks.
Check apps or fuel sites for live stock info first. Cut extra drives, above all, long ones north. Pick E85 or E20 if your ride handles them. They cost less. Ride with pals for Songkran. Back shops with delivery options to skip roads.
Thailand links tight to world news. Far-off fights hit Chiang Rai pumps fast. Chiang Mai, too. Songkran nears. Let’s hope trucks flow steadily for clear roads.
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