What are your thoughts on people who stockpile fuel?
 
Ms Phonethip, a government official in Xaythany district, Vientiane:  People need petrol for different reasons. Some want it to use in lawn mowers, others need it for their boat or some other engine or machinery. The only way they can get the petrol they need is to put it in a container of some kind. I’m glad that the authorities are concerned about safety, but in my opinion what they should really be doing is stopping people from selling fuel by the roadside at a high price. Petrol stations should make rules about the sale of fuel so that it’s done fairly. 

What are your thoughts on people who stockpile fuel?

Ms Chanthany Phanthavong, an employee in Xaysettha district, Vientiane: As we all know, people need petrol every day. The price is very high because some selfish people buy up large quantities and sell it for a high price. The government should have rules to regulate the situation. They said they would fine people if they sold fuel for a high price, but that hasn’t happened. I think petrol stations should have a limit on the amount they sell, especially to people who don’t arrive in their car, because people who bring containers can walk off with an unfair amount. I urge everyone to be honest in this situation and not to take advantage of the shortage by trying to benefit from it.
 
Ms Chansone Manivanh, a resident of Vientiane province: I’ve seen many people selling petrol by the roadside since most petrol stations ran dry. I don’t think it’s either clean or safe to keep a lot of petrol in a bottle or other container. Another problem is that some roadside vendors don’t sell it to people in the order that they queue up. And of course they sell it for a high price, which isn’t fair. I sympathise with people who need petrol for their boat or other kind of engine. Petrol stations should have a plan in place or make rules so that the sale of fuel is done in an orderly and fair manner. 
   
Ms Vone Mixay, a government official in Vientiane: Motorists are queuing for hours in the hope of filling up their tanks before supplies run out. Some people don’t even get as far as a petrol station before they run out of fuel. If this happens, they have to use a container to get petrol so they can take it to their car. If people were unable to buy petrol in containers, they would have to push their car all the way to the pump. I think petrol stations should set rules and an orderly system. For example, people should not be able to buy more than three or five litres at a time, and not spend more than 500,000 kip. This would go some way to ensuring that the sale of petrol is fair.  

By Lamphone Pasanthong
(Latest Update May 20, 2022)