MALAYSIANS have been urged to temporarily defer travel to southern Thailand following fuel shortages caused by panic buying, raising concerns ahead of the upcoming Aidilfitri holiday period.
Malaysia’s consul-general in Songkhla Ahmad Fahmi Ahmad Sarkawi said the advisory is particularly aimed at those planning road trips to popular destinations such as Hat Yai and Songkhla over the long festive weekend.
“If there is no urgent need, it is best to postpone travel temporarily.
“However, if you must go there, Malaysians need to plan their journey carefully,” he said.
He noted that, so far, there have been no reports of Malaysians being stranded due to the situation.
Ahmad Fahmi explained that the disruption is not caused by an actual shortage of fuel, but rather by panic buying among Thai consumers triggered by ongoing tensions in West Asia.
“This situation has caused many petrol stations to run out of fuel, as well as long queues at almost all stations, including those in southern Thailand,” he said.
As a result, many petrol stations have temporarily closed due to depleted supplies, and long lines have formed.
Operators have begun imposing purchase limits, restricting transactions to 500 baht per vehicle and 80 baht per motorcycle.
Despite the disruption, Thai authorities have assured that the overall fuel supply remains adequate for domestic needs and that steps are being taken to stabilise the situation.
Meanwhile, Aida Oujeh, president of the Thai-ASEAN Halal Tourism Industry Association, said the fuel disruption is expected to last for around 10 days from March 16.
“This issue not only affects Malaysians, but also impacts Thai citizens.
“There are many petrol stations temporarily closed due to depleted supplies,” she said.
She advised Malaysians who must travel to ensure their vehicles are fully fuelled before crossing the border and suggested refuelling at Thai stations early in the morning as an alternative.
With travel demand expected to surge during the festive period, authorities continue to monitor the situation closely, urging caution until fuel supply conditions return to normal. - March 18, 2026
