Fuel shortages are disrupting farms and freight across Thailand, threatening harvests and supply chains as the government rolls out emergency measures to stabilise supplies.
In Phitsanulok, rice harvesters report acute diesel shortages just as the main harvest season begins in late March.
Fields under the Bang Rakam model in Phrom Phiram and Bang Rakam districts are ready for cutting, yet machinery remains idle due to lack of fuel.
Payao Chuengklin, a provincial farmer council member and harvester operator, outlined the severity of the situation.
“Harvesters have no fuel, rice trucks have no fuel. Even if it is expensive, we still cannot find any to buy,” he said.
In previous years, wholesale fuel suppliers delivered directly to operators’ homes in bulk.
“They would deliver 5-10 tanks at a time. When we ran out, we just called and they came again. But this year, as harvesting begins, suppliers told us they have no fuel to deliver.”
Under current restrictions, operators must queue at petrol stations and can purchase only small quantities.
“We can only get about two gallons at a time, which is not enough for a harvester,” he added.
A single harvester consumes more than 100 litres of diesel per day, covering around 30 rai. The shortage is crippling productivity and threatening farmers’ incomes.
Mr Payao urged authorities to create dedicated fuel dispensers for the agricultural sector.
“There must be a separate pump for registered farmers. When fuel arrives, only those on the list should be allowed to refuel,” he said, adding local officials should compile verified lists of genuine operators.
The impact extends beyond harvesting. At a community rice seed production centre in Wang Khi Lek village in Phitsanulok, drying operations have halted due to lack of diesel. The facility requires around 100 litres per drying cycle to process 10-12 tonnes of paddy.
Somkuan Rungreuang, who oversees the centre, said farmers are already waiting. “Many farmers have harvested rice for seed, but we cannot operate because there is no diesel,” he explained.
Meanwhile, the transport sector is grappling with similar pressures. In Nakhon Ratchasima, the North Eastern Transport Association warned fuel shortages and price volatility are severely disrupting logistics.
Kittisak Pratuangchaisri, the association’s president, said the challenges are widespread. “Many petrol stations have no fuel, or supplies are intermittent. Drivers must visit four or five stations before finding enough fuel,” he stated.
He added rationing has made it difficult for lorries to maintain delivery schedules, particularly for perishable goods.
“If agricultural products are not delivered on time, they spoil. Frozen and fresh food also require timely transport.”
Operators are forced to purchase fuel from informal suppliers at higher prices. While official rates hover around 30 baht per litre, some are paying up to 35 baht, resulting in immediate losses.
“For a truck using about 400 litres a day, that means a loss of around 2,000 baht per day per vehicle,” Mr Kittisak noted. “This is no longer sustainable.”
The association has called on the government to ensure sufficient supply and improve transparency in fuel pricing. It said a central coordination unit should address industry concerns more efficiently.
In response, the government has invoked emergency powers to manage the situation. A prime ministerial order issued on March 20 mandates stricter oversight of fuel distribution amid the war in the Middle East, which has driven global energy prices higher.
Under the directive, major fuel traders must report daily data on production, stock levels and sales volumes, including detailed records of customers purchasing more than 3,000 litres per transaction.
Retailers are also required to display prices clearly and report any changes to authorities.
The order further empowers senior officials, including the deputy prime minister and justice minister, to enforce compliance and investigate irregularities across the supply chain.
Authorities say the measures aim to prevent hoarding, ensure fair distribution and restore confidence during a period of heightened uncertainty.
However, on the ground, farmers and transport operators remain under strain, warning that without immediate and targeted support, the disruptions could ripple through the wider economy.
