Warning to fuel hoarders
PHUKET: The Phuket office of the Department of Internal Trade has warned against hoarding of fuel after the price was increased today by a further 0.40 baht a liter.
Officers at the department are worried that people may try to stockpile fuel in case the price rises still further. But, said the office, such stockpiles are a fire risk.
Individuals caught hoarding fuel could be fined up to 10,000 baht, while gas station operators found to be buying fuel now and hoarding it to sell when the price rises again, face fines of up to 140,000 baht or up to seven months in jail, or both.
Consumers can report traders who hoard fuel, or who try to sell it for more than the set price, by calling Tel: 1569.
The 40-satang price rise brought in today by the state oil company PTT raises the price of fuel at gas stations to 18.99 baht a liter for diesel, 21.14 baht for 91-octane gasoline and 22.94 baht a liter for 95-octane gasoline.
The government has warned that further increases may be on the way, as the price of oil on international markets continues to rise and the dollar, the currency used for oil trades, strengthens against the Thai baht.
