Sokimex, a major energy distributor in Cambodia, plans to suspend sales of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) starting 1 April due to supply shortages caused by the Middle East conflict. The Cambodian government quickly reassured the public not to panic, affirming the impact on the market is only about 3%."}],
Sokimex Investment Group, a leading fuel distributor with over 500 service stations nationwide in Cambodia, issued a statement on Sunday night (22 Mar 2026) announcing the company must temporarily suspend LPG distribution effective from 1 April 2026 onward.
Mr. Diap Cheng Heng, Vice President of Sokimex, one of Cambodia’s largest petroleum and gas importers, stated that the prolonged conflict and unrest in the Middle East region have severely disrupted global energy transportation and supply chains.
He said Cambodia is among the countries directly affected, and this difficult situation has caused the company to be unable to import LPG since early March 2026. This led to insufficient reserves to meet market demand, necessitating a temporary suspension of LPG sales from 1 April until further notice.
According to the company’s data, this crisis has caused LPG prices in Cambodia to spike dramatically. On Sunday, retail prices rose to 3,200 riel (approximately 26.35 baht) per liter, an increase of 60% compared to the pre-Middle East conflict price of only 2,000 riel (about 16.47 baht) per liter.
Earlier on Saturday (21 Mar), Prime Minister Hun Manet posted on social media to reassure citizens that the government is working to ease living costs through tax measures and subsidy budgets. The government will subsidize the price difference of gasoline and diesel by 2.31 baht per liter, with an additional 0.33 baht if global oil prices exceed 90 dollars per barrel for gasoline or 100 dollars for diesel.
Regarding tax measures, import and value-added taxes on gasoline and diesel will be reduced to 0%. Additionally, excise tax on gasoline will be lowered to 4.96 baht per liter and cut to 0% for diesel.
Energy Minister Kaew Ratana issued a video statement today (23 Mar) to build public confidence, noting that Sokimex’s sales suspension impacts only about 3% of Cambodia’s LPG market share.
Minister Kaew said, "I urge everyone not to worry, as six other major distributors continue to import and sell LPG as usual."
Furthermore, the Energy Minister took the opportunity to campaign for the public to switch to electric rice cookers and electric stoves to help conserve LPG, while the government accelerates efforts to secure new energy import sources to ensure the country’s long-term energy security.