Rising diesel prices halt fishing boats; Thai fisheries struggle to survive

MaticHoleFiller · 2026-04-05T12:29:26+00:00

Thailand's fisheries are under severe threat due to soaring diesel prices, with approximately half of the fishing vessels halting operations, and the industry faces the risk of collapse. Diesel prices have increased by over 30%, and boat owners are bearing high costs while also paying crew salaries. Government intervention is urgently needed.

MaticHoleFiller

2026-04-05 12:29:26

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Diesel prices are soaring, putting Thailand’s fisheries worth tens of billions of dollars in serious trouble—these are the consequences triggered by Iran in retaliation for the U.S. and Israel’s strikes and attempts to blockade the Strait of Hormuz.

According to the Thai National Fisheries Association, half of the country’s large fishing fleets have already suspended operations. The association warns that, absent government intervention, the remaining vessels will soon be shut down as well. For an industry that ranges from offshore fishermen to high-end restaurants and employs several hundred thousand people, this could be a devastating disaster.

But the small economic circle centered around the Bangsarai pier in the province of Chonburi is still barely limping along—even as the next steps of the war launched by U.S. President Trump remain uncertain.

Ship owners say they are shouldering record-high diesel costs. Last week, the price of diesel already broke through 45 Thai baht per liter (about $1.38), up more than 30% from pre-war levels. And they still have to pay sailors’ wages.

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