Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul has announced new proposals to restrict fuel sales at petrol stations nationwide, starting after April 20, 2026. Under the plan, stations will close from 10:00 p.m. to 5:00 a.m., with maybe only E20 petrol and B20 diesel available during these hours. The move aims to ensure sufficient domestic fuel supplies while maintaining normal access during the Songkran holiday.

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The announcement comes amid ongoing efforts to manage energy use following conflicts in the Middle East. Prime Minister Anutin said a new monitoring centre will be established to oversee the situation, replacing the previous body that ended with the last government’s term. The measures are part of broader policies to promote energy conservation and controlled fuel usage in Thailand.

When asked about the impact on travel, particularly during the Songkran festival, Anutin confirmed that the closures if implemented, will only take effect after April 20 to allow citizens to complete holiday travel. He emphasised that fuel will remain fully accessible during the festival, enabling people to return home and travel safely. The PM noted that the government is prioritising convenience and continuity for citizens during peak travel periods.

The specifics of whether additional legislation under the 1973 Oil Shortage Prevention Act will be needed remain unclear. Anutin stated that all actions will use existing channels to maximise efficiency and control. He did not provide a timeline for any further announcements regarding legislative measures.

Amarin reported that the new opening hours will not stop all fuel sales. Stations will be restricted to selling only B20 diesel, a biodiesel blend, and E20 petrol from 10:00 p.m. to 5:00 a.m., with other fuel types unavailable during these hours. The Ministry of Energy has also been tasked with reviewing refinery margins and reporting structural findings back to the government.

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Adapted by ASEAN Now Amarin 7 Apr 2026

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As usual, half measures... Petrol stations closed but B20 diesel, biodiesel blend and E20 still available... So do they think that other petrol not will be sold if customers are coming??? This is Thailand, nobody cares about rules and nobody enforce anything. We can see it at loud music at parties, festivals and celebrations, although it was announced to keep it low to respect the late Queen. Still everywhere you hear where the parties are..If there is no enforcement people continue to do as they like. Better would be that the petrol stations were fully closed. No petrol available at all. Maybe it even could result in lesser accidents and traffic deaths.

This worked out so well last time it was implemented ( sarcasm 101 ☠️ )

I recall mom was rushed to hospital in Lampang late in the day , my wife was in Chiang Mai and of course , needed to go to Lampang right away. Needed fuel for the vehicle, NOPE , we go tomorrow, stations are closed for the night.

OH , but there are select stations open all night , Off we go , select station closed , drove around the city , nope , no go.

I keep a 1/2 tank at all times now.

Many Need to travel at night , for work , travel , family , etc..

There has to be a Logical solution. This isn't one of them .

So any of the people traveling because their work hours don't align with the norm will be penalized?

Not everyone has a driver who can go fill up while the Boss is working and life tends to get in the way for people sometimes.

How about this, all modified, high end sports cars with poor fuel economy are restricted.

Working with a traffic engineer to make traffic flow efficiently around Bangkok and other major cities.

I know Thailand loves a good long Queue and you will definitely see more with limiting sales hours

6 minutes ago, J Branche said:

So any of the people traveling because their work hours don't align with the norm will be penalized?

Not everyone has a driver who can go fill up while the Boss is working and life tends to get in the way for people sometimes.

How about this, all modified, high end sports cars with poor fuel economy are restricted.

Working with a traffic engineer to make traffic flow efficiently around Bangkok and other major cities.

I know Thailand loves a good long Queue and you will definitely see more with limiting sales hours

People are spoiled and must learn to be wise with energy. There is time enough to fill the tank before 10 pm and after 5 am.. and sportscars are a danger so good that it limited and can't get petrol. It is for the publics safety. I strongly believe there are not so many vehicles that are using the petrol station deep in the night. People have to sleep to. But people need to adjust to the times...and that is something else. Most people are unwilling to cooperate

Brilliant! And how does that solve the problem?

Wasn't that tried some years ago. I seem to remember that the then PM was vilified for unnecessarily restricting trade and restricting freedoms.

Anutin needs to be careful, slippery slope and all that! Next thing we know he will be visiting flooded locations wearing "Gucci" wellies!

1 hour ago, giants49 said:

Brilliant! And how does that solve the problem?

Simply plan what the station has/gets within a 24 hour period and restrict vehicles accordingly. Everyone that comes gets a "piece of the cake" however small. But that requires math and station experience - forget it.

Another great idea. I'm sure that there won't be increased daytime traffic following this brilliant move.

17 hours ago, CMFarang said:

This worked out so well last time it was implemented ( sarcasm 101 ☠️ )

I recall mom was rushed to hospital in Lampang late in the day , my wife was in Chiang Mai and of course , needed to go to Lampang right away. Needed fuel for the vehicle, NOPE , we go tomorrow, stations are closed for the night.

OH , but there are select stations open all night , Off we go , select station closed , drove around the city , nope , no go.

I keep a 1/2 tank at all times now.

Many Need to travel at night , for work , travel , family , etc..

There has to be a Logical solution. This isn't one of them .

The obvious solution would be for a certain fascist dictator to end his personal war. You're right, there are surely better solutions, but certain governments aren't known for their practical problem solving skills. What seems like logic and common sense to us is doesn't seem to take shape in any recognizable form in Thailand officials' minds. I hope you get through this episode OK. I'm lucky, I live alone, don't drive, and am 10 minutes walk from the hospital.

Night time closures of gas stations won't achieve anything.

That will well and truly "fix" the problem like a massive cluster-foxtrot. Now daytime lines will be 2x to 3x as long. Anutin doesn't need to care - there is no shortages for him or his political cohorts.

In 1973 the government had a lottery system where cars with even numbered plates fueled on even days, and odd numbered plates of odd days.

Another hair brained scheme from a completely incompetent man, who is the last person in the world who should be leading this nation right now in a time of crisis. Zero creativity. No solutions.

Simple you buy your fuel outside of the restricted hours as one did with the alcohol restrictions until they were relaxed.

20 hours ago, CMFarang said:

This worked out so well last time it was implemented ( sarcasm 101 ☠️ )

I recall mom was rushed to hospital in Lampang late in the day , my wife was in Chiang Mai and of course , needed to go to Lampang right away. Needed fuel for the vehicle, NOPE , we go tomorrow, stations are closed for the night.

OH , but there are select stations open all night , Off we go , select station closed , drove around the city , nope , no go.

I keep a 1/2 tank at all times now.

Many Need to travel at night , for work , travel , family , etc..

There has to be a Logical solution. This isn't one of them .

Logical logic does not apply IN LOS. They have their own traditions, and they can't be traced back to Aristotle.

I don’t really get this.

In a 24 hour period there is X demand for fuel. Forcing the purchase of that X amount into a shorter period of hours within the 24 hour period, doesn’t change the amount of fuel purchased.

I would have thought that the correct objective would be to reduce X, ie the amount of fuel purchased. Selling the same amount within a shorter period doesn’t seem to give any benefit

4 minutes ago, wensiensheng said:

I don’t really get this.

In a 24 hour period there is X demand for fuel. Forcing the purchase of that X amount into a shorter period of hours within the 24 hour period, doesn’t change the amount of fuel purchased.

I would have thought that the correct objective would be to reduce X, ie the amount of fuel purchased. Selling the same amount within a shorter period doesn’t seem to give any benefit

Is there anything to get in Thailand? They are the land of illogical decisions and ping pong masters in rule change. They change faster than the weather changes in England.

My SUV say it will take E20, but just scared it Emerson up the engine in the long run, but if it’s the only option then I guess I’ll just have to take the risk.

The chinese are blessing Thailand as it will put a surge on EV electric vehicle sales.

6 hours ago, giants49 said:

Brilliant! And how does that solve the problem?

Maybe you should ask those stations that have been closing overnight for the last few weeks.

1 hour ago, wensiensheng said:

I don’t really get this.

In a 24 hour period there is X demand for fuel. Forcing the purchase of that X amount into a shorter period of hours within the 24 hour period, doesn’t change the amount of fuel purchased.

I would have thought that the correct objective would be to reduce X, ie the amount of fuel purchased. Selling the same amount within a shorter period doesn’t seem to give any benefit

When fuel gets short, so do tempers, safer for the staff if it is done during day time.

Saw a guy shouting last week because they only put 500 baht in his tank.

Just like the convid bo/lox Everything close at 22.00 as convid goes to sleep then

More ridiculous suggestions from this one trick pony. And he said there was enough for 3 months! But, but Cambodia....

4 hours ago, sandyf said:

When fuel gets short, so do tempers, safer for the staff if it is done during day time.

Saw a guy shouting last week because they only put 500 baht in his tank.

I’m not sure that longer day time queues are going to help with tempers, but I do take your point.

That isn’t the way I read the move being sold though, seemed to me it was being proposed to save fuel. Maybe I misunderstood.🤷‍♂️

12 hours ago, wensiensheng said:

I’m not sure that longer day time queues are going to help with tempers, but I do take your point.

That isn’t the way I read the move being sold though, seemed to me it was being proposed to save fuel. Maybe I misunderstood.🤷‍♂️

I wouldn't speculate on the government move, but around here some filling stations have been closing overnight for some weeks now.

Doubt they are in business to save fuel.

On 4/7/2026 at 10:47 AM, ikke1959 said:

As usual, half measures... Petrol stations closed but B20 diesel, biodiesel blend and E20 still available... So do they think that other petrol not will be sold if customers are coming??? This is Thailand, nobody cares about rules and nobody enforce anything. We can see it at loud music at parties, festivals and celebrations, although it was announced to keep it low to respect the late Queen. Still everywhere you hear where the parties are..If there is no enforcement people continue to do as they like. Better would be that the petrol stations were fully closed. No petrol available at all. Maybe it even could result in lesser accidents and traffic deaths.

And lower air pollution as well.

9 hours ago, sandyf said:

I wouldn't speculate on the government move, but around here some filling stations have been closing overnight for some weeks now.

Doubt they are in business to save fuel.

I’m overseas atm but my daughter tells me Phuket is business as per normal. Don’t think she fills up after 10pm though so she wouldn’t be impacted or aware of night time closing

The guy is so out of his depth.

Never spent a day in a village producing for this country.

Gives a whole new meaning to Jethro Tull's "Thick as a Brick" .🙃🙃

On 4/8/2026 at 8:27 AM, ikke1959 said:

People are spoiled and must learn to be wise with energy. There is time enough to fill the tank before 10 pm and after 5 am.. and sportscars are a danger so good that it limited and can't get petrol. It is for the publics safety. I strongly believe there are not so many vehicles that are using the petrol station deep in the night. People have to sleep to. But people need to adjust to the times...and that is something else. Most people are unwilling to cooperate

And you are observing this from where?

Certainly doesn't sound like you have ever driven Highway 340.🙃🙃