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

The oil crisis triggered a sudden 6 baht per liter price increase, impacting transportation and consumer goods costs. Here's a checklist of products at risk of price hikes along with survival strategies amid rising living expenses.

Thai consumers face hardship as the Energy Policy Committee approves a 6 baht per liter price hike on all fuel types, effective immediately on 26 Mar 2026. This follows a surge in global oil prices driven by the Middle East crisis and a severely negative oil fund balance. Watch for a "domino effect" as soaring transportation costs lead to price increases across everyday goods, from chicken eggs to construction materials.

Why has oil prices surged so sharply by 6 baht?

The morning of 26 March 2026 became a nightmare for vehicle owners nationwide as petrol stations raised retail prices of gasoline and diesel by 6 baht per liter in one go. Diesel prices moved to about 38.94 baht per liter, while Gasohol 95 jumped to 41.05 baht per liter. The main cause was escalating conflict in the Middle East, pushing global crude oil prices sharply higher. Meanwhile, Thailand's oil fund struggled with a deficit exceeding 35 billion baht, forcing the government to sharply reduce subsidies to preserve fund liquidity.

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

As logistics costs—the backbone of production—rise, consumer goods inevitably must adjust prices accordingly. The most concerning product groups include:

• Fresh food group: Chicken eggs, pork, and chicken meat, with prices expected to rise 5-10% due to increased transportation costs for animal feed and the products themselves.
• Agricultural products group: Bagged rice, palm oil, and seasonal fruits, which mainly rely on interprovincial truck transport.
• Canned food and beverages group: Canned fish, drinking water, and bottled milk, affected by rising plastic packaging costs linked to oil prices.
• Household goods group: Tissue paper, laundry detergent, shampoo, and soap. Major brands have started signaling that price freezes may not last beyond this month.
• Construction materials group: Cement, reinforcing steel bars, and tiles—heavy items for which transportation costs can affect prices by as much as 15-20%.
• Fare and service group: Public hire vehicles, parcel delivery, and food delivery services may add "high fuel surcharge" fees.

Preliminary price forecast table (comparative differences)

5 survival techniques to cope with high fuel and rising prices

With incomes steady but expenses rising, people should adjust behaviors to reduce impact as follows:

• Plan trips: Use navigation apps to avoid traffic jams and combine errands to complete them in a single trip along one route.
• Drive economically (Eco-Driving): Maintain a steady speed of 80-90 km/h, check tire pressure to avoid underinflation, and reduce unnecessary vehicle weight.
• Compare prices before buying: Choose products on promotion or from wholesale stores that still hold prices, and opt for department store house brands.
• Use public transport: For convenient distances, using the BTS or buses can be more cost-effective than driving a personal car and paying for fuel and parking.
• Grow kitchen vegetables: For some fresh foods like chili peppers,holy basil,or morning glory, growing your own in a backyard garden can genuinely reduce small daily expenses.

As oil prices soar and living costs rise everywhere, a once legendary "meme" solution from a respected elder,a senator,who advised people to "grow their own vegetables and keep chickens for eggs," seems to be resurfacing on social media.

Those living in townhomes or 20th-floor condos might start looking for space to keep a "chicken coop" near the air conditioner compressor, or try vertical gardening with peppers and ginger in incense pot planters. In an era when oil prices jumped 6 baht at once and eggs are pricier than coffee, having a "hen" as a roommate laying fresh eggs in front of the TV might be the most cutting-edge budget-saving innovation—if only the building management doesn’t evict you and the chickens to the street first.

Since energy prices have "jumped" beyond control, relying on traditional local wisdom (though its practicality is uncertain) might be the last refuge to keep a dry smile and cope with rising fuel bills in this year.