State oil company PTT announced that retail prices for all diesel grades increased by B3.50 per litre, while all gasoline and gasohol prices rose by B1.20 per litre. Premium Gasohol 95 remains unchanged. The new prices came into force from 5am.
Despite the immediate impact on motorists and businesses, Phuket provincial authorities had made no public comment on the implications for the island, with local agencies late this morning posting only confirmation of the price adjustments.
Instead, official channels have focused on relaying national-level measures aimed at easing the rising cost of living.
Among the announcements made were that Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul has launched the ‘Thai Helps Thai: Reduce the Burden, Reduce the Cost of Living’ campaign, offering discounts of up to 58% on more than 3,000 essential goods nationwide through major retailers. The scheme, running initially until the end of May, covers everyday consumer items and staple foods.
Meanwhile, Deputy Prime Minister and Transport Minister Phipat Ratchakitprakarn has ordered agencies to facilitate travel during the Songkran holiday period, including freezing public transport fares until Apr 19 and ensuring sufficient fuel supplies across all routes. Thailand Post has also pledged to hold shipping rates until Apr 15.
The measures come as global energy price volatility continues to drive domestic fuel costs higher, placing renewed pressure on households and key sectors including tourism and transport.
No Phuket-specific mitigation measures have yet been announced.
IN REVERSE
The Phuket Provincial Office, led by Phuket Governor Nirat Phongsitthaworn, under orders by PM Anutin last month started issuing daily reports of which fuel stations on the island were still in supply of specific fuels.
Days later, Governor Nirat started urging motorists on the island to use the Thai Pump Radar web platform to identify which petrol stations to use.
Today, the Phuket Provincial Office resumed publicly posting its daily reports, reporting widespread shortages of certain fuel types across the island, with multiple petrol stations temporarily running out of key products as of 10am today (Apr 2).
The update, issued by the Phuket Provincial Energy Office under the Ministry of Energy, confirmed that while most stations remain operational, several have run out of specific fuel types including gasohol 95, E20, gasohol 91 and premium diesel.
Among the hardest-hit are a number of Bangchak stations, where gasohol 95 and E20 were reported unavailable in areas including Kathu, Wichit, Talad Yai and Ratsada. Some locations in Sri Soonthorn and Pa Khlok also reported shortages of multiple fuel types, though other products remain on sale.
PTT stations across the island were similarly affected, with E20 and gasohol 95 shortages recorded in Kathu, Thalang, Si Sunthorn and Cherng Talay. However, many PTT outlets confirmed normal supply of other fuels.
At Shell stations, several locations in Wichit, Talad Yai and Thepkrasattri reported running out of premium diesel, while some outlets also faced shortages of Gasohol 91 and Premium 97. Caltex stations in Chalong and Talad Nuea (Phuket Town) also reported temporary depletion of premium diesel, with E20 shortages noted in Sri Soonthorn and Cherng Talay.
PTT stations were not immune, with Gasohol 91 and E20 unavailable at some sites in Talad Yai (Phuket Town) and Thepkrasattri, while diesel supplies remained stable.
Despite the disruptions, officials stressed that the shortages are limited to specific fuel types at individual stations, with the majority of outlets continuing to operate normally and offering alternative products.
Independent petrol stations and smaller operators across Phuket were reported to have full supply of all fuel types.
No official explanation for the shortages was provided in the notice. Officials have not yet indicated when full supply will be restored, but monitoring of the situation is ongoing.