A mortician in Chonburi caused shock at a petrol station after bringing a coffin containing a deceased person to prove he needed diesel for cremation. The incident occurred on 29 March 2026, when the cremation officer returned to the station after earlier being refused fuel in containers. Staff eventually agreed to fill the cans after verifying his claim.

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The man, identified as Mr Preecha, 48, works as a cremation officer at a temple along Route 344 in Ban Bueng district. He had initially attempted to purchase diesel to fill containers for cremating a body but was refused by the station, which suspected fuel hoarding. Despite repeated requests, staff declined to sell him the fuel.

In response, Mr Preecha transported the deceased from the hospital in a coffin to the station, along with three 18-litre fuel cans previously purchased there. During a live video, he opened the coffin to confirm the presence of a body, demonstrating that the fuel was required solely for cremation purposes. After a brief discussion between staff and the station manager, lasting around one to two minutes, the station agreed to supply the diesel.

Picture courtesy of ThaiRath

Mr Preecha explained that the deceased’s family had opted for cremation due to limited financial means, while the hospital required space for new arrivals. Burial was not feasible as local rescue units were in the process of clearing the cemetery, a task expected to take considerable time. A benefactor had provided funds for the fuel needed for the cremation.

He added that he has worked as a mortician since 2005, initially using charcoal-fired cremation. Following an upgrade to a diesel-powered system, he has routinely purchased fuel in containers from the same station. However, recent shortages linked to ongoing war conditions have led to stricter controls and suspicion of hoarding.

The case highlights the practical difficulties faced by cremation services during fuel shortages, particularly when standard procedures conflict with essential duties. It also reflects wider reports of vehicles and machinery being denied fuel under current restrictions.

ThaiRath reported that uthorities have not announced any changes to fuel sales policies, but the incident may prompt further clarification on exemptions for essential services such as cremation.

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Adapted by ASEAN ThaiRath 30 Mar 2026

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They may have to go back to charcoal if this continues. Sad but true.

I'm sure the manager of the petrol station, who is no doubt making nationwide decisions as to which stations should ration gas and which shouldn't, was very moved by this demonstration.

3 hours ago, Georgealbert said:

A mortician in Chonburi caused shock at a petrol station after bringing a coffin containing a deceased person to prove he needed diesel for cremation. The incident occurred on 29 March 2026, when the cremation officer returned to the station after earlier being refused fuel in containers. Staff eventually agreed to fill the cans after verifying his claim.

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The man, identified as Mr Preecha, 48, works as a cremation officer at a temple along Route 344 in Ban Bueng district. He had initially attempted to purchase diesel to fill containers for cremating a body but was refused by the station, which suspected fuel hoarding. Despite repeated requests, staff declined to sell him the fuel.

In response, Mr Preecha transported the deceased from the hospital in a coffin to the station, along with three 18-litre fuel cans previously purchased there. During a live video, he opened the coffin to confirm the presence of a body, demonstrating that the fuel was required solely for cremation purposes. After a brief discussion between staff and the station manager, lasting around one to two minutes, the station agreed to supply the diesel.

Picture courtesy of ThaiRath

Mr Preecha explained that the deceased’s family had opted for cremation due to limited financial means, while the hospital required space for new arrivals. Burial was not feasible as local rescue units were in the process of clearing the cemetery, a task expected to take considerable time. A benefactor had provided funds for the fuel needed for the cremation.

He added that he has worked as a mortician since 2005, initially using charcoal-fired cremation. Following an upgrade to a diesel-powered system, he has routinely purchased fuel in containers from the same station. However, recent shortages linked to ongoing war conditions have led to stricter controls and suspicion of hoarding.

The case highlights the practical difficulties faced by cremation services during fuel shortages, particularly when standard procedures conflict with essential duties. It also reflects wider reports of vehicles and machinery being denied fuel under current restrictions.

ThaiRath reported that uthorities have not announced any changes to fuel sales policies, but the incident may prompt further clarification on exemptions for essential services such as cremation.

Join the discussion?

Already a member?

Adapted by ASEAN ThaiRath 30 Mar 2026

View full article

While I was tempted after reading this article to leap to the usual "...only in Thailand" reflex, I recalled the time I was visiting a merry pack of doctors at People's Hospital Number 3 in Jiangsu. They recounted how an irate family of a relative whom they concluded had not received proper medical attention would lodge a protest by parking his corpse in the lobby of the hospital.

The doctors, with whom I'd retire to the Nurses' Quarters to smoke those foul acrid Chinese ciggies (I had my Ramayana Corona Corona cigar) also mentioned that it was not uncommon for deceased patients' families to attempt a shakedown of the hospital in this manner.

As usual, the Chinese show their adroit inventiveness in capital gains.

"Mr Preecha explained that the deceased’s family had opted for cremation due to limited financial means, while the hospital required space for new arrivals. Burial was not feasible as local rescue units were in the process of clearing the cemetery, a task expected to take considerable time. "

I realized that this is a minor detail in the story and not the main focus involving a guy needing fuel for a cremation, but I was under the impression that cremation was normal way to dispose of a body here in Thailand, not something done because of "limited financial means." Also, like a previous poster, I was a bit confused about the "clearing of the cemetery" sentence. Maybe I missed something?

1 hour ago, Issan girl said:

"Mr Preecha explained that the deceased’s family had opted for cremation due to limited financial means, while the hospital required space for new arrivals. Burial was not feasible as local rescue units were in the process of clearing the cemetery, a task expected to take considerable time. "

I realized that this is a minor detail in the story and not the main focus involving a guy needing fuel for a cremation, but I was under the impression that cremation was normal way to dispose of a body here in Thailand, not something done because of "limited financial means." Also, like a previous poster, I was a bit confused about the "clearing of the cemetery" sentence. Maybe I missed something?

My understanding is also that cremation is the default way in Buddhist population. Maybe the temple mentioned here is of another religion, like Chinese, where burial is practiced ?

As for 'clearing the cemetery', my guess is that the article refers to the clearing process applied to old cemetery sections, when their 'lease' expires, allowing for new capacity.
(What I don't understand is why the "local rescue units" would be in charge of the task)

1 hour ago, Issan girl said:

"Mr Preecha explained that the deceased’s family had opted for cremation due to limited financial means, while the hospital required space for new arrivals. Burial was not feasible as local rescue units were in the process of clearing the cemetery, a task expected to take considerable time. "

I realized that this is a minor detail in the story and not the main focus involving a guy needing fuel for a cremation, but I was under the impression that cremation was normal way to dispose of a body here in Thailand, not something done because of "limited financial means." Also, like a previous poster, I was a bit confused about the "clearing of the cemetery" sentence. Maybe I missed something?

Perhaps the deceased was ethnic Chinese or of Christian faith and would usually be interred.

The fuel station repents after Preecher delivers sermon about the departed! Seems the Lord provided!