Chiang Rai — Residents of Mae Sai rushed to fill their gas tanks amid concerns over the Middle East conflict's impact. Many stations ran out of Gasohol 95. At the same time, the Chiang Rai Energy Office issued a directive to closely monitor fuel stations, strictly forbidding refusal of sales and hoarding for profit, while urging the public not to panic.
On 3 Mar 2026 GMT+7, reporters in Chiang Rai reported that this morning people from Mae Sai district, especially on the Tha Khilek side of Myanmar, brought cars and fuel containers to stockpile gasoline. Since yesterday and into this morning, long queues of vehicles waited to refuel at all gas stations throughout Mae Sai district.
Particularly, Burmese residents panicked and flocked to refuel their cars and motorcycles. Normally, fuel in Tha Khilek is sold in bottles for no more than 40 baht, but prices have risen to 100 baht. They rushed to buy reserve fuel. Tha Khilek has experience from when Thailand stopped exporting fuel to Myanmar, so the public is aware and alert about fuel shortages. Myanmar still relies on Thai fuel exported to Laos, which Myanmar then buys, causing prices to rise. This has heightened the Burmese people's concern about running out of fuel. Consequently, many Mae Sai stations have sold out of Gasohol 95, though other fuel types remain but in reduced amounts.
Meanwhile, a Facebook user named Piyaporn Srisamut, owner of a major PTT gas station in Mae Sai, posted on social media stating: “People are panicking and rushing to fill fuel. Please understand that we have been in this industry for 40 years and have no intention to hoard fuel. Don’t spread rumors. Every station has its own fuel quota. Please stay calm. We will never let fuel run out. Don’t believe false news. Students still need to go to school and ambulances need fuel. Please stop the panic. The stockpile releases fuel according to quotas, and no hoarding is happening. Stay calm and don’t lash out. We are managing the situation as best as we can. Please use your judgment and understand.”
The Chiang Rai Energy Office issued an announcement ordering close monitoring of fuel stations in the area, strictly forbidding refusal of sales and hoarding for profit. They also appealed to the public to use energy responsibly, not to panic, and to avoid hoarding excessive fuel to prevent disruption to daily life.
If any fuel station refuses to sell without valid reason or is suspected of hoarding for profit, especially before or during fuel price adjustments, the public can report it at 081-6926662 to the Chiang Rai Energy Office, available 24 hours.