Thailand Mulls Night-time Curbs On Petrol Sales To Conserve Fuel

By Wilawan Watcharasakwet

BANGKOK, April 7 (Bernama) -- The Thai government is preparing to introduce measures to regulate the operating hours of petrol stations to ensure sufficient domestic fuel supplies amid tensions in West Asia.

Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul said the move may include suspending fuel sales between 10pm and 5am after the Songkran festival, which begins on April 13.

Anutin, who is also the Interior Minister, said the government is exploring all possible measures to conserve energy and ensure fuel consumption is tightly controlled.

“The government is working on fuel-saving measures to ensure sufficient supply for domestic use. If the restriction on petrol station operations between 10pm and 5am is implemented, it will likely take effect after April 20, to allow people to complete their travel during the festival and resume normal activities,” he told reporters at the Ministry of Interior on Tuesday.

He added that the move is in line with the government’s earlier stance to facilitate travel for the public returning to their hometowns during Songkran.

Local media reported that the measure would not entail a complete shutdown of petrol stations, but rather restrict the sale of certain fuel types during specified hours.

Under the proposal, only B20 diesel — a biodiesel blend — and E20 gasohol may be sold between 10pm and 5am, while other fuel types would be unavailable during that period.

A check at a Bangchak Corporation petrol station on Tuesday showed Gasohol 95 priced at 43.95 baht (RM5.45) per litre, Gasohol 91 at 43.58 baht (RM5.41), and Diesel B7 at 50.54 baht (RM6.27).

-- BERNAMA