Fuel Shortage Forces Thai Temple to Suspend Cremations

A major temple in Nakhon Phanom, northeastern Thailand, has temporarily halted its cremation service due to fuel shortages. Service stations are refusing to sell fuel in containers under emergency measures linked to the ongoing Middle East crisis.

The temple’s crematorium requires about 90 litres of fuel per cremation, costing around 3,000 baht. Normally, the temple keeps a reserve of 100 litres, but current limits allow only 500 baht per fuel purchase and ban container filling.

Funeral prayers for the deceased continue, but cremations cannot proceed until the fuel situation improves. The temple conducts over 10 cremations monthly, many free of charge as part of its charitable work. Temple officials said buying small amounts from multiple stations is impractical under the restrictions. Authorities have been urged to allow fuel purchases per cremation to maintain the temple’s services for the community.