In Mae Hong Son, diesel prices have surged to 40.50 baht per liter. Provincial energy and commerce officials immediately conducted an inspection, finding that prices were raised in line with increased costs, with wholesale prices at 39.40 baht per liter. Meanwhile, local residents were undeterred, saying, "High fuel prices are better than having no fuel at all."
On 10 March 2026, Mrs. Phusanit Chaimanee, Mae Hong Son's provincial commerce officer, assigned Lieutenant Junior Grade Thanawan Chinchaiwut, head of the Strategic and Planning Unit at the provincial commerce office, to conduct a site inspection alongside Mr. Phawit Wiangna, an operations engineer from the Mae Hong Son provincial energy office. They jointly inspected the fuel prices at Subpayom Limited Partnership gas station in Ban Kat Subdistrict, Mae Sariang District, Mae Hong Son Province.
They found diesel being sold at the station for 40.50 baht per liter. The station purchased fuel from Rungnapa Oil and Transport Limited Partnership, located in Hang Chat District, Lampang Province, which is a wholesale fuel supplier. The diesel wholesale cost was 39.50 baht per liter. The station added about 1 to 1.10 baht per liter to cover management expenses such as electricity, water, local taxes, and staff salaries, arriving at the retail price of 40.50 baht per liter.
Mr. Adul Payomdong, owner of Subpayom gas station, told reporters that the fuel delivery arrived at 7:00 a.m. this morning, totaling 17,000 liters: 10,000 liters of diesel and 7,000 liters of Gasohol 95. They could not order gasoline because the refinery price adjustments were very high, increasing costs. Without government price controls like those for larger stations, they had to bear the high costs themselves. Previously, they had considered temporarily suspending fuel sales, but regular customers, including those running coin-operated pumps, were also affected. He estimated that if the situation continued, the station might have to shut down by the end of March.
The station had notified regular customers of the temporary sales suspension due to inability to compete on price. However, customers expressed willingness to endure the higher prices, leading the station to continue operating despite the elevated costs for now. If the burden becomes unsustainable, the station may have to temporarily cease fuel sales until conditions normalize. They asked the public to understand the reasons behind the price increases. Current prices are diesel at 40.50 baht per liter, Gasohol 95 at 37.60 baht per liter, and gasoline at 47 baht per liter. The station has informed the provincial energy office about the current fuel costs and reasons for the price hike.
Mr. Phawit Wiangna, operations engineer at the Mae Hong Son provincial energy office, explained that the inspection was prompted by reports of high fuel prices at this station. After verifying the facts and discussing with the operator, they confirmed that the station received fuel at 39.40 baht per liter from the refinery and added management costs to set prices. Selling at government-controlled prices would result in losses. The provincial energy office will continue to monitor why refinery prices have risen and will await central government policy to address the issue.
Lieutenant Junior Grade Thanawan Chinchaiwut, head of the Strategic and Planning Unit at the Mae Hong Son provincial commerce office, added that the station’s price adjustments reflect actual cost increases, not unreasonable hikes, including a management fee of 1.10 baht per liter. The commerce office advises stations to display prices clearly and prohibits stockpiling or refusing sales under the Price of Goods and Services Act, B.E. 2542 (1999), Sections 29 (prohibiting stockpiling/refusal to sell) and 30 (prohibiting price gouging). Violators face penalties of up to 7 years imprisonment or fines up to 140,000 baht, or both, to prevent exploitation and protect consumers.