Chiang Rai — At the Chiang Khong Customs checkpoint, oil tanker trucks continue exporting fuel to Laos as usual. This morning, four trucks departed, and about ten left yesterday. Sources confirm there is no suspension order. The Department of Energy Business is currently assessing the situation.
On 3 March 2026, reporters observed the atmosphere at the Thai-Laos Friendship Border Checkpoint No. 4 (Chiang Khong-Huai Sai) in Chiang Khong district, Chiang Rai province. The scene was normal but relatively quiet due to the holiday. However, checking the fuel export situation to the neighboring country revealed that four oil tanker trucks left for Laos this morning, while over ten trucks passed the checkpoint yesterday.
A source from Chiang Khong Customs disclosed that, so far, the Customs Department has not issued any order to suspend or prohibit oil exports to Laos. Oil tanker trucks can still move goods from Chiang Khong checkpoint to Huai Sai checkpoint in Bokeo province as usual.
“This morning’s checkpoint crossings totaled four trucks, and about ten yesterday, which is a normal volume for this checkpoint,” a customs officer said.
The officer added that since yesterday, several shipping company representatives have inquired due to rumors that the Ministry of Energy might consider banning oil exports. However, Chiang Khong Customs has coordinated with their superiors and received official written confirmation from the Department of Energy Business that the situation is still under evaluation and no order to halt oil truck departures from the checkpoint has been issued.
Meanwhile, a source from the shipping operators group stated that if the oil has been loaded onto tanker trucks, departed from the oil depot, and sales contracts have been completed, exports to neighboring countries can proceed under existing regulations. They are currently checking whether oil depots will stop dispensing oil in cases where sales contracts have already been signed.
On the Laos side, a Lao resident from Luang Namtha province entering Chiang Khong district reported that many fuel stations in both Luang Namtha and Bokeo provinces have temporarily closed due to running out of fuel. Stations still open are seeing large crowds of people lining up to refuel.
On the Thai side, reporters found that two major fuel stations in Chiang Khong district, located near the border with Huai Sai town, have experienced increased customer traffic over the past two days. Staff said they have been working almost nonstop all day due to demand being about twice normal levels. However, they confirmed that fuel reserves remain sufficient, and there is no shortage or panic buying as seen in other border areas.
Most customers are local residents and vehicles with Thai license plates. Trucks from Laos crossing over to buy goods as usual also stop to refuel before returning, which is normal. No suspicious activity has been observed.
Some people have purchased fuel in 20-liter jerrycans or 200-liter drums, but these purchases are routine for use with agricultural machinery, tractors, or backhoes in construction work. Most are filling tanks for convenience and confidence in the current situation. There is no sign of commercial fuel hoarding.