The usually serene borders of South-East Asia are now abuzz with activity, but not for the reasons one might expect. A fuel crisis in Cambodia has sparked a peculiar kind of cross-border frenzy as motorists, in search of reasonably priced fuel, flood into Thailand. The Thai-Cambodian Friendship Bridge, which typically stands as a symbol of diplomatic ties, was yesterday choked with over 100 luxury vehicles as Cambodian drivers, driven by the urgent need to fuel up, streamed into Thailand’s Sa Kaeo province. This motley caravan was not merely a spectacle but also a symptom of Cambodia’s pressing fuel scarcity compounded by persistent power outages in bustling cities like Poipet. Here, fuel isn’t just a means to an end—it’s a lifeline that powers generators. In Cambodia, petrol prices have soared to daunting heights of 48 to 50 baht per litre, with diesel not far behind at 38 to 40 baht. This…
