Huge traffic jams at gas stations in Thailand — despite government intervention and fixed prices, locals and visitors continue to wait for an hour and a half on Koh Samui to fill up their tanks.

Russian tourists told us: they encountered a traffic jam of over 30 cars and mopeds at Bangchak gas station. They have to wait more than an hour. Gasoline is only being pumped into tanks; canisters have been banned since yesterday. The authorities reported the day before that fuel supplies would last at least two months. But locals and tourists are still worried about possible price hikes for everything — transfers, excursions, deliveries, and taxis.

On March 3, Shell and Caltex increased gasoline and diesel prices to 4.20 baht due to the Middle East conflict. On March 4, after the Prime Minister’s intervention, prices were restored to previous levels and fixed for 15 days. Industry experts say that if the situation with the Strait doesn’t change, a scenario similar to Cuba’s could repeat.