Refineries increase output, public urged to conserve energy

Bangchak and PTT refineries have increased their production of refined oil products by 9%, according to Danucha Pichayanan, secretary-general of the National Economic and Social Development Council (NESDC).

PTT is focusing on boosting output to meet rising demand for benzine and diesel, the prices of which have recently increased by 25% and 35%, respectively, he said.

Since the government eased oil reserve controls on Monday, he said it has taken 1–2 days for oil traders, such as “jobbers” — wholesale fuel suppliers — to increase deliveries to service stations across the country.

Officials from the Energy Business Department and local authorities have been inspecting oil depots to ensure they do not hoard fuel, particularly diesel, for profiteering purposes.

Danucha stressed the need for Thailand to continue exporting refined oil products to Myanmar and Laos — 300,000 litres and three million litres per day, respectively — because Thailand depends on hydropower from Laos as well as natural gas from Myanmar to generate electricity at a power plant in Ratchaburi province.

He also said that the public will soon receive up-to-date information on the country’s oil situation — from refineries to depots, jobbers and gas stations — through a “dashboard” currently being developed.

He assured that the government is doing everything possible to ease fuel shortages and urged the public to conserve energy, noting that the country’s five oil refineries have a combined production capacity of 175 million litres per day and can increase output by only about 10%.

Energy conservation during abnormal circumstances is therefore necessary, and the public should cooperate, he added.