Pattaya, April 2nd, 2026 — Residents of Pattaya were left in shock on Wednesday evening as news broke of another fuel price increase, causing hundreds of people to rush to gas stations to fill up their vehicles before the new rates take effect.
According to reports from all major media outlets, the Oil Fuel Fund Committee (OFC) held a meeting and approved retail price adjustments for most fuel types. The sharpest rises were for diesel and Super Power Diesel, which will increase by 3.50 baht per liter. Gasoline and all grades of gasohol will rise by 1.20 baht per liter. The new prices will come into force from 5:00 a.m. on April 2nd, 2026.
The Pattaya News reporters observed that between 8 p.m. and midnight on April 1st, gas stations across Pattaya were overwhelmed. Long lines of cars, vans, motorcycles, public transport vehicles, and buses snaked through the stations, with some queues spilling out onto Sukhumvit Road for kilometers. Several stations ran out of fuel and had to close temporarily.
Some residents, already preparing for bed, hurriedly changed into whatever clothes they had on, including pajamas, and drove straight to the pumps after hearing the news. Tourism boat operators, including speedboat owners, large passenger ferries, and fishing boat operators, arrived with 20-liter containers to stock up on diesel for daily operations. They said that they were not hoarding fuel but simply buying what they need for the next day’s work, warning that any future shortages could force them to halt services entirely.
Mr. Banchong Bun Sai, 65, a local songthaew (two-row minibus) driver known as “Uncle Jong,” joined the queue to refuel his diesel vehicle. He shared his concerns with our reporters: “It’s getting really tough now. Diesel prices keep rising, and many of my colleagues who rent their vehicles have already stopped working because they can’t cover the rental fees plus fuel costs. I’m luckier because I own my own vehicle, but after the latest increase to 40.74 baht per liter, I’m left with less than 500 baht a day for my family after deducting fuel expenses. Tomorrow, diesel will jump another 3.50 baht to 44.24 baht per liter. I think the public transport sector is heading into a real crisis. I hope the government will act quickly to resolve the fuel price problem.”
The sudden surge has caused widespread anxiety among Pattaya’s drivers, small business operators, and tourism-related workers, who rely heavily on affordable diesel. Many fear the higher costs will further squeeze their already tight margins in the face of ongoing economic pressures.
