A major local bottled water brand in Buriram province has been forced to raise its retail prices by 3-5 baht per pack after production costs at the manufacturing plants increased due to higher oil prices, transportation fees, and the cost of plastic resin used to make the bottles.
On 22 March 2026, reporters reported that the Middle East war crisis has begun to cause widespread global effects. Beyond oil shortages and price hikes, many consumer goods have started to see continuous price increases. Additionally, plastic resin used for packaging has also risen in price in line with global oil market rates, while transportation costs have increased due to higher diesel prices.
Particularly affected is the popular 600-milliliter bottled water from local brands, widely favored in regional markets. Previously, wholesale and retail prices ranged from 19-20 baht per pack, or 4 packs for 100 baht and 5 packs for 100 baht. These have now been impacted similarly, forcing stores and local brand bottled water distributors to raise wholesale and retail prices by 3-5 baht per pack, bringing prices to 21-25 baht. Further price increases are expected if the situation persists.
Mr. Thanakrit Makhumhek, owner of Buriram Water Warehouse, a major local bottled water distributor in Buriram province located along the Buriram-Nang Rong road, Isan Subdistrict, Mueang District, Buriram, said his store sells 3-4 local bottled water brands sourced from factories in Surin, Khon Kaen, and Saraburi provinces, averaging about 4,000 packs daily at prices of 19-20 baht per pack depending on brand. The conflict in the Middle East has caused an oil crisis.
Besides causing oil shortages and price increases, the crisis has pushed production costs up because the plastic resin used to make the bottles has become more expensive. Previously, the store sold wholesale at 19-20 baht per pack, but for over a week now, wholesale prices at the store have risen to 21-23 baht per pack depending on the brand, as the water factories have raised their prices.
The store has tried to maintain stable retail prices, but with oil prices, transportation fees, and plastic resin costs continuously rising by 2-5 baht per pack, it now sells wholesale at 21-23 baht per pack, up from 19-22 baht. This has caused dissatisfaction among regular customers; some have reduced their purchases, and some who resell in villages have stopped buying altogether.
One customer said that the cost of living keeps rising across all goods, including bottled water, which used to be about 19-20 baht per pack when buying around 20 packs at a time. Now, prices are 21-23 baht per pack, forcing them to reduce purchases to about 10 packs to save money. They urged the government to urgently implement measures to help and resolve these issues, as people from all sectors are currently suffering greatly.