A group of farmers has appealed to the Prime Minister to allow them to purchase fuel in gallon containers, fearing damage to their crops. Minister Santi is ready to report the matter to the Prime Minister for prompt resolution and action.
At 13:30 on 18 Mar 2026 GMT+7, at the Government Complaint Center, Mr. Singchai Ruangkhajorn, Chairman of the Coordination Working Group of the National Farmers Council Members for the Central Region, Mr. Sathien Sueakwarn, Chairman of the Rayong Provincial Farmers Council, along with leaders from farmer groups across several provinces including Pathum Thani and Saraburi, met with Minister Santi Piyatat, Minister attached to the Prime Minister's Office. They submitted a letter to the Prime Minister calling for measures to alleviate farmers' hardships caused by fuel energy issues amid the ongoing conflict in the Middle East.
The letter states that the prolonged Middle East situation is impacting Thai farmers, especially those involved in field crops, horticulture, and aquaculture. They face rising production costs due to increased fuel prices and, in some areas, suffer from insufficient fuel supply because of restrictions at service stations. Farmers need fuel for agricultural machinery, and inadequate supply could halt production, severely damaging crops and farmers' incomes. This is especially critical in the Central Region, where off-season rice cultivation is prevalent.
The Coordination Working Group of the National Farmers Council Members for the Central Region thus proposes urgent measures to alleviate farmers' difficulties as follows:
1. The government should consider allocating fuel to farmers on a special basis, allowing registered farmers with relevant authorities to purchase fuel in gallon containers for agricultural use, under appropriate criteria and quantity limits.
2. Assign the Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives and the Ministry of Commerce to integrate farmer registration data to establish measures for regulating fuel prices to reduce agricultural production costs.
Minister Santi, after receiving the complaint letter, stated the government currently has about 100 days' worth of fuel reserves. There may be some logistical challenges in transporting fuel to final destinations, but the Ministry of Interior has been asked to relax transport time restrictions to ensure delivery without shortages. He also urged fuel operators not to hoard supplies. With sufficient reserves and normal sales, this will help ease difficulties. The government sympathizes with the people and will provide full support. Minister Santi said he would bring these grievances to the Prime Minister for urgent resolution to assist the farming community.
