A CAR owner in Phang-Nga, southern Thailand, has put his vehicle up for urgent sale after being unable to afford fuel, highlighting the growing strain on motorists amid a worsening energy crunch.
Images circulating on social media show a silver Isuzu pickup truck parked by the roadside with a handwritten sign displayed on its windscreen.
“Selling urgently,” MSNEWS cited the note stating, with an explanation added beneath: no money for fuel. Contact details were also provided.
The vehicle was reportedly stationed near a petrol station, underscoring the severity of the situation.
The incident comes in the wake of a steep fuel price increase of 6 baht per litre announced on March 26, following the government’s decision to withdraw subsidies. The move has intensified financial pressure on consumers already grappling with rising living costs.
Compounding the situation, fuel shortages have left many petrol stations across Phang-Nga without supply, forcing temporary closures despite regular operating hours.
Thai media have highlighted photographs which show stations barricaded with signs indicating that fuel stocks have been depleted.
Even where fuel is available, supplies are quickly exhausted.
Station operators have reportedly begun limiting bulk purchases, particularly from customers using containers, in an effort to ensure fair distribution among motorists.
The crisis has disproportionately affected those reliant on fuel for their livelihoods, including delivery riders and operators of industrial vehicles.
One 39-year-old rider has called for increased government assistance, warning that the current conditions threaten his ability to continue working.
The developments reflect the broader impact of global energy disruptions, with rising oil prices and constrained supply chains placing increasing pressure on households and businesses across the region. - March 30, 2026
