Thailand’s fuel consumption has surpassed pre-pandemic levels, according to a report by the Department of Energy Business (DOEB). After experiencing a two-year consecutive decline due to the pandemic, fuel demand rose by 5.65% in the first quarter of 2021, averaging 161 million liters per day (MLD), compared to 151 MLD in the same period last year.
DOEB Director-General Nanthika Thangsupanich attributed the increase to the lifting of lockdown measures that led to business recovery and the full reopening of the country, which boosted tourism. Despite diesel consumption only increasing by 0.2% to 76.4 MLD, gasoline and gasohol demand surged by 6.6% to 31.7 MLD. Jet fuel experienced the highest growth, with consumption skyrocketing by 95% YoY to 14 MLD, up from 7.1 MLD.
As the country’s GDP continues to recover, DOEB Director-General Nanthika Thangsupanich believes that oil consumption growth will align with the economic recovery. The country’s officials are currently drafting a National Oil Plan, with an aim to shift from fossil fuels to cleaner fuels such as biofuels and electric vehicles. One of the proposals includes making gasohol E20 the primary fuel at petrol stations, gradually phasing out gasohol E10, also known as gasohol 91.
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