NAKHON RATCHASIMA - The fuel shortage has sparked alarm at a hospital in Khon Buri district that is struggling to find diesel for the backup generators that ensure electricity is always available for critical medical procedures.
Julaporn Ratchatok, an electrician at Khon Buri Hospital, said on Tuesday he had been tasked with finding and purchasing enough diesel to fill up the three generators and create a reserve for future use in the event of power cuts.
"Summer storms occur around this time of the year and they can cause a power outage," he said. "If we are not prepared, medical staff and patients at the hospital would be affected."
Mr Julaporn posted what he termed his "mission" on Monday - to ride in an ambulance with a driver to comb the district for fuel. A Bangchak petrol station in Don Krud area had agreed to supply the hospital with 460 litres of diesel, while limiting other motorists to a maximum of 300 baht each.
"We will do whatever is needed to find fuel to generate electricity at the hospital," he said.
The driver of the ambulance, who was not named, also thanked the Don Krud pump. "Thank you to the Bangchak petrol station in Don Krud for their kindness," he said.
The hospital's plight reflects the desperation of motorists unable to find fuel, especially diesel, since the United States and its ally Israel went to war with the Islamic Republic of Iran on Feb 28 after years of missile attacks on Israel.
Panic buying continued on Tuesday despite repeated government assurances that Thailand has ample fuel reserves and can switch to sources outside the Mideast, The government says the shortage is actually caused by panic buying because deliveries cannot keep up with the sudden surge in demand.
Pumps displaying out-of-stock signs could still be seen in all provinces on Tuesday, including in parts of Bangkok.
