Diesel prices have surged, leading the operator of the Koh Thepho–Manorom ferry in Uthai Thani to request a fare increase from 20 to 30 baht. The owner acknowledged that if costs remain high, the ferry service, which has operated for over 40 years, may have to stop.
On 16 Sep 2026 GMT+7, due to rising fuel prices, Mr. Sophon Yimkrung, 75, owner of the Chao Phraya River ferry between Koh Thepho Subdistrict, Mueang District, Uthai Thani Province, and Ban Hat Matum, Siladan Subdistrict, Manorom District, Chai Nat Province, revealed the necessity to raise the round-trip fare from 20 baht to 30 baht. This is because operating costs, especially diesel fuel—the main engine fuel—have steadily increased, with prices now exceeding 40 baht per liter.
Mr. Sophon said the ferry service has run for over 40 years, acting as a vital lifeline connecting residents on both sides of the Chao Phraya River. However, with rising fuel prices and increased boat crew wages due to higher living costs, revenues have dropped to nearly unprofitable levels.
Currently, the ferry earns about 800-900 baht per day before expenses. Some days, barely any income remains after paying for fuel and crew wages. The business is struggling to stay afloat, closely monitoring fuel prices to plan purchases of 20-40 liters at a time, which lasts about four days.
Despite mounting costs, the operator continues running the ferry because many locals still need the service to shorten travel distances, avoiding detours of tens of kilometers via bridges.
However, if costs keep rising and become unsustainable, the ferry service, operating for more than four decades, may have to close. This raises concern as the ferry is an essential part of daily life for communities on both sides of the Chao Phraya River, and its absence would be deeply felt even for a single day.