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Vehicles Queue Up at Petrol Stations as Vientiane Residents Fear Upcoming Fuel Shortage

Drivers line up for fuel at a gas station in Vientiane during mid-June 2022. (Photo: Kosuke Inoue)

UPDATED January 24, 11:00 am

Over the weekend, Vientiane Capital started experiencing an increase in the number of vehicles lining up at petrol stations, raising worries about an upcoming fuel shortage. Residents’ reports suggest that numerous stations have exhausted their diesel stocks, with some now encountering shortages in both diesel and gasoline.

The Lao State Fuel Company (LSFC) issued an official announcement addressing the growing apprehension. It revealed that key oil refineries in neighboring countries, such as Thailand, which is a crucial supplier for Laos, have temporarily halted production lines to upgrade fuel standards. This has resulted in decreased fuel exports to Laos, causing higher prices and potential shortages, particularly in diesel.

“Over the past week, a notable surge in fuel consumption has outpaced the available petrol station supply, especially for diesel fuel,” an announcement stated. “Consequently, some stations have temporarily ceased diesel services, leading to queues at certain stations and raising concerns of a potential widespread fuel shortage akin to last year’s incident.”

In Thailand, the government has temporarily suspended diesel exports for traders during the maintenance period of Thai Oil’s No. 3 crude distillation unit (CDU) to prevent potential local shortages.

A CDU is a specific component of Thai Oil’s refinery infrastructure that processes crude oil to produce various refined products such as gasoline, diesel, jet fuel, and other petroleum-based products.

The maintenance period, expected to run until the end of January, prompted the Thai energy ministry to issue directives to oil traders, halting the export of diesel to ensure domestic diesel supply.

Despite concerns about fuel shortages in Laos, especially for diesel, LSFC assured the public that the fuel supply is currently “manageable” but may not meet the rising demand.

To address the issue, LSFC further stated that normal production is expected to resume by the end of January, assuring that the Lao Fuel and Gas Association (LFGA) and the Ministry of Industry and Commerce (MOIC) are working with oil importing and distribution companies to expedite fuel supply and ensure diesel availability normalizes within the week.

In the first month of 2024 alone, the country underwent four fuel price adjustments, three of which resulted in price increases.

As of 21 January, Laos imported 106 million liters of fuel, including 21 million liters of gasoline, 80 million liters of diesel, and 5 million liters of other oils. Although lower than the December 2023 figures, LSFC noted that it might not meet the current rising demand.

Similar incidents occurred in previous years. In 2023, many petrol stations reportedly closed down, indicating a potential resurgence of fuel shortages in Laos. Fuel companies, including PTT Lao Limited, encountered difficulties in exchanging foreign currency for fuel purchases, driven by the depreciation of the Lao kip and global oil price increases.

This situation raised concerns similar to the nationwide fuel crisis experienced in 2022. However, the Lao government later reassured residents that the country’s fuel distribution is stable, responding to concerns raised by PTT Lao Limited about potential fuel shortages.

Update: The Ministry of Industry and Commerce in Laos has released a statement regarding the alleged fuel shortage in the country, following concerns raised by residents in Vientiane Capital over the past few days.

According to Lao state-media Pasaxon News, due to Laos’ reliance on importing fuel from neighboring Thailand and Vietnam, the unplanned shutdown of crude distillation unit 3 (CDU-3) belonging to the Thai Oil Public Company Limited has forced a fuel shortage.

Since the start of the year, Laos has imported 21 million liters of petrol, and 80 million liters of diesel. Although the reserved fuel was enough to sustain the needs of the residents of the country, a spike in consumer purchases over the past week has led to petrol stations shutting down. 

The Internal Trade Department of the Ministry of Industry and Trade, together with the Lao Petroleum and Gas Association, are working with fuel-importing companies to expedite the provision of oil from neighboring countries and address the issue.

According to Thai Oil’s press release on 16 January, the company will undergo maintenance on CDU-3 for approximately 13 days, with operations planned to return to normal by the end of the month.

Laos-China Railway Boosts Daily Trips in Preparation of Tourism Surge

Laos-China Railway Boosts Daily Trips in Preparation of Tourism Surge
Laos-China Railway Compnay EMU train.

The Laos-China Railway Company has announced that it will increase the daily trips of its passenger trains to 12 journeys a day from the previous 10 daily journeys, effective from 22 January.

Vietnamese Woman Lures Victims into Laos for Illegal Operations

Vietnamese Woman Lures Victims into Laos for Illegal Operations
This image is used for representational purposes only.

Vietnamese authorities in the central highlands province of Gia Lai have identified 25-year-old Vu Thi Khanh Huyen as the alleged mastermind behind a human trafficking operation that involved five victims being smuggled into Laos.

Laos Calls For Gaza Cease Fire, Seeks Support at Non-Aligned Movement Summit in Uganda

Non-Aligned Movement Summit in Uganda (Photo: Pathet Lao Daily)

The Lao delegation, led by Laos’ Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Phoxay Khaykhamphithoune, attended the 19th Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) summit held in Kampala, Uganda from 19 to 20 January.

Bangkok Becomes Top Destination for Indian Travelers Following Visa Exemptions

Bangkok Becomes Top Destination for Indian Travelers Following Visa Exemptions
Indian tourists in Thailand (photo: the Phouket News)

In a recent milestone, Thailand officially overthrew Dubai as the preferred travel destination for Indian tourists, marking a significant milestone in the realm of global tourism. 

Bangkok Design Week 2024 Is Coming Soon: 6 Reasons Not To Miss Thailand’s World-Class Design Festival

BANGKOK, THAILAND – Media OutReach Newswire – 22 January 2024 – Being such a ‘happening’ city, Bangkok already has numerous events lined up. Bangkok Design Week 2024 (BKKDW2024), in its 7th edition, is one of the biggest design festivals taking place from 27 January – 4 February 2024. It aims to present core design challenges and creative endeavors, reflecting the authentic issues faced by the city.

BKKDW2024, themed 'Livable Scape'
BKKDW2024, themed ‘Livable Scape’

Since 2018, Bangkok Design Week (BKKDW), organized by the Creative Economy Agency (Public Organization) or CEA, has long been a prominent fixture on the Bangkok event calendar. It serves as a potent platform providing opportunities for the development of individuals and businesses within Bangkok’s districts. This contributes to the city’s evolution as a creative hub, confirming the growth of the creative industries. Additionally, it propels Bangkok to stand out as a member of the UNESCO Creative City Network (UCCN), recognized as Bangkok City of Design.

BKKDW2024, themed ‘Livable Scape,’ features more attractions than ever, offering a multitude of things to see. Here are the reasons why you won’t want to miss this big event. Save the date and let’s join us in making our beloved megacity even better.
1. The most and most diverse range of programs ever
Under the theme of ‘Livable Scape,’ BKKDW2024 invites everyone to participate in transforming Bangkok into a city that is not only ‘livable’ and ‘attractive for investment’ but also ‘worth visiting’—a lovable city for its residents, investors, and visitors alike. With over 500 activities spread across six main programs throughout the festival, the theme is guided by three essential concepts during and beyond the 9-day event, providing endless new experiences and inspirations: Hard Matters—A city that is physically well-designed, easily accessible, and promotes good health. Heart Matters—A city that is emotionally nurturing, caring for its people, offering a variety of activities, and celebrating authentic culture. Design Matters—A city that is well-designed, ensuring a good life.
2. Happenings across 15+ Bangkok neighborhoods
Bangkok Design Week 2024 is taking place in every direction this year, with programs hosted in 15+ neighborhoods. Led by locals showcasing the best of their areas, the creative programs will extend from stories told through completely new platforms to edible history and unseen locations, sparking new perspectives on the city of Bangkok.
3. Tackle real Bangkok issues together
Partnered with the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) this year, BKKDW2024 challenges creators to propose solutions for the capital city’s real issues. With their answers expressed through a variety of design disciplines, Bangkok Design Week 2024 is set to showcase fresh ideas for making Bangkok a more ‘livable’ city. Join in the many experiments and provide feedback that could lead to a better, more sustainable Bangkok in the future.
4. Everyone acting to create a more livable city
This year’s festival is the result of collaboration between a variety of entities, including BMA, government offices, educational institutions, creators, neighborhood residents, and the wider public. Everyone came together to act and pool their creativity to drive the city forward, because Bangkok’s betterment isn’t any one person’s responsibility.
5. Creative districts present not only design but also cultural assets
As ‘Creative Districts’ are a key element of Bangkok Design Week, the 15 main districts showcase not only creative projects and activities but also local cultural assets from various areas. By harnessing the unique resources of diverse areas, these districts aim to maximize benefits by further developing cultural assets into contemporary products and services This creates added value that sets them apart and bolsters the international image of the country.
6. Revitalizing Bangkok as the city of creativity and design
Bangkok Design Week serves as a platform for ‘Festivalisation’ – the utilization of a festival concept and experience-building to drive the dynamics of a city, sustaining the momentum even after the festival concludes. The focus is also on inspiring people and the events’ host locales to continue driving activities in the long term. Therefore, the festival can revitalize neglected spaces with new stories, creating value for a locale and generating ideas to make a city more livable. Bangkok Design Week also connects people and fosters networks, linking creators and promoting collaboration.
All of this is just a fraction of the reasons why you won’t want to miss Bangkok Design Week 2024. Follow us to discover more information and all the surprises at www.bangkokdesignweek.com/bkkdw2024 and on Facebook: BangkokDesignWeek. Don’t underestimate the power of us all: the more people act, the better the city.

Hashtag: #BKKDW2024 #BangkokDesignWeek #LivableScape




The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.

Creative Economy Agency (Public Organization) or CEA

About Bangkok Design Week

Bangkok Design Week has been established for the first time since 2018. It has long been a fixture on the Bangkok event calendar: it contributes to the growth of the creative industries and propels Bangkok to stand out as a UNESCO Creative City Network, Bangkok City of Design.

BKKDW is organized by Creative Economy Agency (Public Organization) or CEA, in collaboration with over 60 state agencies, public organizations, academia, and international institutions, as well as 2,000 designers and creative businesses, which draws an estimated number of 400,000 visitors at home and abroad. With a total economic value of up to 1,948,000,000 baht generated during six times of the festival (2018–2023), BKKDW is a growth engine for Thailand’s creative industries in a variety of ways, including showcasing creative businesses and designs, stimulating competitiveness, providing a local and international business networking opportunity, and generating economic momentum for downstream businesses such as marketing, printing, online media, galleries, cafes, restaurants, gifts & souvenirs, travel, hotels, and public transportation.

About Creative Economy Agency (CEA)

Creative Economy Agency (Public Organization), or CEA, was elevated from the Thailand Creative Design Center (TCDC) in 2018. CEA is a public organization under the direct supervision of the Office of the Prime Minister. Our key mission is to promote and develop Thailand’s creative economy by working in close cooperation with both the private and public sectors to drive our mission and policy forward. CEA also works to develop creative areas and the creative industry by providing knowledge-based resources and creating opportunities for developing creators in both local and regional areas. CEA also strengthens cooperation between different creative industries and the production sector to further develop creative products and services at both domestic and international levels.

13 Students Reported Killed in Elementary School Dorm Fire in China, Henan Province

In this photo released by Xinhua News Agency, an aerial drone shows the dormitory with charred windows after a fire at the Yingcai School in Dushu Town, Fangcheng County, Nanyang city in central China's Henan province on Jan. 20, 2024. A fire broke out in dorms at the boarding school for elementary students in central Henan province, and more than a dozen students died in the blaze, Chinese state media reported Saturday. (Wu Gang/Xinhua via AP)
In this photo released by Xinhua News Agency, an aerial drone shows the dormitory with charred windows after a fire at the Yingcai School in Dushu Town, Fangcheng County, Nanyang city in central China's Henan province on Jan. 20, 2024. A fire broke out in dorms at the boarding school for elementary students in central Henan province, and more than a dozen students died in the blaze, Chinese state media reported Saturday. (Wu Gang/Xinhua via AP)

BANGKOK (AP) — A fire broke out in dorms at a boarding school for elementary students in central Henan province, and 13 students died in the blaze, Chinese state media reported Saturday.

Japan Becomes Fifth Country to Land Spacecraft on Moon

FILE - A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket, with a payload including two lunar rovers from Japan and the United Arab Emirates, lifts off from Launch Complex 40 at the Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Cape Canaveral, Fla., on Dec. 11, 2022. But later in April 2023, the spacecraft from a Japanese company apparently crashed while attempting to land on the moon. Japan now hopes to make the world's first "pinpoint landing" on the moon early Saturday, Jan. 20, 2024, joining a modern push for lunar contact with roots in the Cold War-era space race between the United States and the Soviet Union. (AP Photo/John Raoux, File)
FILE - A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket, with a payload including two lunar rovers from Japan and the United Arab Emirates, lifts off from Launch Complex 40 at the Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Cape Canaveral, Fla., on Dec. 11, 2022. But later in April 2023, the spacecraft from a Japanese company apparently crashed while attempting to land on the moon. Japan now hopes to make the world's first "pinpoint landing" on the moon early Saturday, Jan. 20, 2024, joining a modern push for lunar contact with roots in the Cold War-era space race between the United States and the Soviet Union. (AP Photo/John Raoux, File)

TOKYO (AP) — Japan became the fifth country in history to reach the moon when one of its spacecraft without astronauts successfully landed on the lunar surface early Saturday.