Drivers across Thailand faced growing fuel shortages on Tuesday as a government cap on diesel prices prepared to expire, triggering long queues at petrol stations from Bangkok to Chiang Rai. The cap, introduced after the United States-Israeli war with Iran disrupted Middle Eastern oil supplies and pushed up global prices, had limited diesel to 33 baht per litre. Officials said prices would rise slightly, but many motorists feared steeper increases.

Several petrol stations reported sharply reduced deliveries, with some running out of fuel entirely and others limiting purchases. Workers in Chiang Rai said supplies were far below normal levels, while stations in Bangkok also imposed spending caps. Delivery riders and drivers said the shortages were cutting into their incomes as they spent hours searching for fuel.

The government insisted that national reserves remain sufficient for around 100 days and attributed the shortages to distribution bottlenecks and surging demand at major-brand stations. Authorities have ordered refineries to operate at full capacity and secured additional imports, while urging the public to avoid panic buying and conserve energy.