Although there is money and fuel tanks, cremations cannot proceed. The Samarnratanaram Temple's Facebook page posted a request for information on fuel stations in Paed Riew city after a diesel shortage impacted funeral services, revealing that one cremation requires 70-100 liters, but pumps only allow sales of 50 liters.
This morning, the Samarnratanaram Temple's page posted a plea for public help: "Which fuel stations in Paed Riew still have diesel? Please share information. We want to reserve it for cremations but can't find any to buy." Shortly after, they added that purchasing fuel now requires showing a death certificate and is limited to 50 liters, which is insufficient for cremation needs.
This morning (16 Mar 2026), reporters visited Samarnratanaram Temple in Bang Kaeo subdistrict, Mueang district, Chachoengsao province, to inquire about the situation. They met with Mr. Kritsada Mahawiriyotai, village headman of Bang Kaeo and chairman of the temple committee, who revealed that the temple is severely affected by the diesel shortage, especially the fuel used for cremating the deceased. Currently, the temple has no fuel reserves left.
Mr. Kritsada said that over the past 2-3 days, temple boys have been sent to various fuel stations to buy diesel for storage since it's unpredictable when bodies will arrive, and sometimes cremations must be performed immediately. Normally, each cremation requires no less than 70-100 liters of diesel.
However, many fuel stations now restrict sales, with some allowing sales but limiting each vehicle to only 50 liters to distribute fuel more evenly. This amount is insufficient for actual use, causing serious problems for the temple.
The temple committee chairman added that if the situation continues and bodies arrive for cremation, the temple may need to discuss the circumstances with the funeral hosts to ensure understanding, as even obtaining enough fuel for cremations has become increasingly difficult compared to before.
. . . continued reading: Fuel prices today, 16 March 2026: Check diesel prices at various fuel stations per liter.