Malaysians are being urged to postpone travel to southern Thailand following fuel shortages caused by panic buying, raising concerns ahead of the upcoming Hari Raya Aidilfitri holiday period.
Malaysia’s consul-general in Songkhla, Ahmad Fahmi Ahmad Sarkawi, said the advisory is aimed at Malaysians planning to visit 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, Malaysians need to plan their journey carefully,” he said.
Ahmad Fahmi explained that the disruption was caused by panic buying among Thai consumers amid the ongoing conflict in the Middle East.
“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.
Operators have begun imposing purchase limits, restricting sales to 500 baht per vehicle and 80 baht per motorcycle.
Despite the disruption, Thai authorities have assured that 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 around 10 days from March 16.
“This issue not only affects Malaysians but also impacts Thai citizens.
“Many petrol stations have 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.
