All Bangkok Gas Stations To Sell Gasohol Next Year

[george]

All Bangkok gas stations to sell gasohol next year

BANGKOK: -- All gas stations in Bangkok will begin selling gasohol by the beginning of next year, with gasohol prices at least 50 satang (Bt0.50) per litre lower than premium gasoline, or octane 95 petrol, Energy Minister Prommin Lertsuridej revealed yesterday.

The announcement marks the government’s biggest effort so far to encourage vehicle users to switch to domestically-produced gasohol, seen by the government as one of its best bets to reduce expensive oil imports.

Dr. Prommin has admitted that one of the biggest tasks faced by the government will be to persuade vehicle users that gasohol is suitable for their engines, an effort which will require close liaison with vehicle manufacturers.

The Ministry of Energy will also have to boost domestic ethanol production to feed into the gasohol industry, which, in turn, will help push down gasohol prices.

While Dr. Prommin confirmed that the government would not seek to cap gasohol prices, he insisted that gasohol remain at least 50 satang per litre lower in price than premium gasoline.

PTT Public Company Limted (PTT), the formerly state-owned Petroleum Authority of Thailand, is introducing perhaps the most revolutionary, with plans to completely replace premium gasoline by gasohol in all its Bangkok gas stations next year.

Regular gasoline, or octane 91 petrol, however, will be on sale as normal.

The PTT's President, Prasert Bunsumpun, admitted yesterday that the public might initially be confused at the changes, but expressed confidence that motorists would soon come round to the idea of using a different type of fuel.

--TNA 2004-10-27