Business owners reveal that "coin-operated fuel dispensers" are gaining popularity, but traveling around to refill them for service is difficult because major gas stations impose limited quotas.
On 15 Mar 2026 GMT+7, reporters noted that as fuel becomes increasingly scarce at major gas stations, the coin-operated fuel dispenser business has become an alternative for rural residents. These people are willing to pay higher prices to avoid traveling far from home to refuel.
However, the business owners themselves face difficulties roaming to obtain fuel to refill the coin-operated dispensers to serve customers. Major gas stations have set strict quotas on refills, and ordering fuel trucks for direct delivery is no longer possible.
Chanchai Phonchaturas, 56, one of the coin-operated fuel dispenser owners in Khon Buri District, Nakhon Ratchasima Province, said he has installed more than 10 coin-operated fuel dispensers in Pak Thong Chai District and several subdistricts in Khon Buri. This provides a convenient alternative for rural residents far from the city, saving them time and fuel costs by not having to travel to major gas stations, with fuel available at any time.
With fuel now harder to find, coin-operated fuel dispensers have become an increasingly popular new option. However, as a business owner, he struggles to source fuel to refill the dispensers because direct fuel truck deliveries from major depots have stopped. This forces him to roam among major gas stations to buy small amounts of fuel from each, despite quota limits, then pool these to refill the dispensers. He also increases the frequency of refills to ensure adequate supply for each area’s customers.