Facing High Oil Prices: Spotlight on 6 Product Groups at Risk of Price Hikes and Money-Saving Tips

Summary of the oil price crisis with a sudden 6 baht per liter jump impacting transportation costs and consumer goods. Check the list of products at risk of price increases along with survival strategies amid soaring living expenses.

Thai consumers face hardship as the Energy Policy Committee (EPC) approves a simultaneous 6 baht per liter increase on all fuel types, effective immediately from 26 Mar 2026. This follows the Middle East crisis driving global market prices up and the oil fund’s heavy deficit. Watch for a "domino effect" as soaring transport costs trigger price hikes on everyday products, from eggs to construction materials.

Why did oil prices suddenly surge by 6 baht?

The morning of 26 March 2026 was a nightmare for vehicle users when fuel stations nationwide raised retail prices of gasoline and diesel by 6 baht per liter at once. Diesel prices rose to about 38.94 baht/liter, while Gasohol 95 reached 41.05 baht/liter. The main cause was the escalating conflict in the Middle East, which rapidly pushed global crude oil prices upward. Additionally, Thailand’s oil fund could no longer bear subsidy burdens, with a negative balance exceeding 35 billion baht. The government thus had to sharply cut subsidies to preserve liquidity.

Check the list of 6 product groups at risk of price increases — what will get more expensive?

As transportation costs (logistics), a key factor in production, rise, consumer goods inevitably must adjust prices accordingly. The most concerning product groups include:

• Fresh food group: Eggs, pork, and chicken prices are expected to rise 5-10% due to higher transport costs for animal feed and the products themselves.
• Agricultural products group: Rice, palm oil, and seasonal fruits, which rely heavily on interprovincial truck transport.
• Canned food and beverage group: Canned fish, drinking water, and bottled milk, affected by rising plastic packaging costs (linked to oil prices).
• Household items group: Tissue paper, detergent, shampoo, and soap — major brands have started signaling they may not hold prices beyond this month.
• Building materials group: Cement, rebar, and tiles are heavy products whose prices are significantly influenced by transport costs, increasing by 15-20%.
• Fare and service group: Public hire vehicles, parcel delivery, and food delivery services may add a "high oil surcharge".

Preliminary price forecast table (comparing price differences)

5 Survival Tips to Handle High Oil Prices and Rising Costs

With incomes unchanged but expenses rising, people should adjust behaviors to minimize impact as follows:

• Plan trips: Use navigation apps to avoid traffic jams and combine errands along the same route in one trip.
• Drive economically (Eco-Driving): Maintain steady speeds of 80-90 km/h, check tire pressure to avoid underinflation, and reduce unnecessary vehicle weight.
• Compare prices before buying: Choose products with promotions or from wholesale stores still holding prices, and opt for department store house brands.
• Use public transport: For convenient distances, taking the BTS or bus can be more cost-effective than driving a private car with fuel and parking fees.
• Grow kitchen vegetables: For some fresh foods like chili,holy basil,or morning glory, growing them at home can effectively reduce small expenses.

As oil prices surge and living costs spike everywhere, a legendary "meme" solution from a respected senatorhas resurfaced.This honorable figure once advised people to "grow their own vegetables and raise chickens for eggs," advice now gaining renewed attention on social media.

Those living in townhomes or 20th-floor condos may need to find space for a "chicken coop" near the air compressor or try vertical gardening with chili and ginger in pots by incense sticks. In an era when oil prices jump 6 baht at once and eggs cost more than coffee, having a "hen" as a roommate to lay fresh eggs by the TV could be the most innovative budget-saving method—if not kicked out by the building management along with the chickens.

Since energy prices "jump" beyond control, relying on traditional self-sufficiency wisdom (though its practicality may be uncertain) might be the last resort to help us manage the sting of fuel bills in the wallet this year.