Residents of Sawankhalok, Sukhothai Province, have been lining up at a gas station from 3 AM until 6 AM with long queues. The station limits diesel purchases to 500 baht per small vehicle, while larger trucks with six wheels or more can buy up to 1,000 baht per vehicle or fill fuel containers.
Many provinces across Thailand are still experiencing fuel shortages, especially diesel, causing difficulties for all fuel users, including farmers and orchard workers.
Regarding this, at 5:30 AM on 16 March 2026, reporters observed that the fuel shortage in Sawankhalok District, Sukhothai Province, remains insufficient to meet the needs of local residents requiring diesel and gasoline types 91 and 95. In rural areas, many use pickup trucks and trucks, creating high demand for diesel fuel for transportation and agriculture. Most machinery relies primarily on diesel rather than gasoline. Consequently, ten-wheel truck owners and locals needing diesel have been parking and queuing at the Bangchak gas station in Sawankhalok market since 3 AM, waiting for the station to open at 6 AM.
The station limits diesel fuel purchases to no more than 500 baht per small vehicle with up to four wheels, and for larger vehicles with six wheels or more, up to 1,000 baht per vehicle or the equivalent in fuel containers. This has caused long lines of residents waiting to refuel.