The oil shortage crisis, along with a sudden 2-baht price hike in one day, has led to a dramatic drop in tourists at Buriram Sea, Lam Nang Rong Dam—an important water attraction in the province. Some days see almost no visitors, affecting restaurants and inner tube and life jacket rental services. Income has shrunk, with some days earning nothing from morning till 5 p.m. Recently, over 20 inner tube shops have closed to pursue other jobs. They urge the government to urgently solve the problem, fearing it could last through Songkran.
On 24 March 2026 in Buriram Province, reporters noted that the prolonged Middle East conflict, ongoing for over two weeks, has caused Thailand to face an oil shortage crisis. The price surged by 2 baht in a single day, impacting many professions, including Buriram Sea, the artificial sandy beach at Lam Nang Rong Dam in Non Din Daeng District, a major water tourist spot in the province, where tourist numbers have dropped by more than 90%.
Every year during summer and school holidays, thousands of tourists bring their families to relax and cool off in the water, especially on weekends. However, currently, only about 100 tourists visit Lam Nang Rong Dam daily, with weekend numbers not exceeding 300–400, severely affecting income for food, beverage, and inner tube and life jacket rental businesses.
Inner tube rental shops, which used to earn 1,000–1,500 baht daily during summer and up to 3,000–4,000 baht on long holiday weekends like Songkran with tens of thousands of tourists, now earn only 200–300 baht a day. Some days they earn nothing due to lack of visitors. Over 20 shops have temporarily closed to find other work, leaving only eight shops operating today.
Ms. Suporn Wangkaew, 45, who runs an inner tube and life jacket rental shop at the artificial sandy beach of Lam Nang Rong Dam, said the impact began during the two rounds of fighting along the Thai-Cambodian border. Tourist numbers started to decline, and the ongoing Middle East war causing oil shortages worsened the situation.
She added that with the recent rise in almost all oil prices, tourists have dropped sharply. Normally, during summer and school breaks, thousands of families visit daily, especially on weekends. Now, very few come to relax and swim at Lam Nang Rong Dam, affecting income. Some days she earns only 100–200 baht, and some days none at all from morning till 5 p.m. She hopes the government will urgently resolve the oil and high price problems so the impact doesn’t extend through Songkran.
Ms. Ratchanikorn, a tourist, said she currently visits nearby attractions because she fears finding fuel in other provinces will be difficult and fuel prices have risen. She has no plans to travel during the upcoming Songkran and may just stay near home. When asked if she had any message for the government, she said she didn’t know what to ask or demand, believing the government will handle the situation and that people can only adapt and accept it.