Round-the-clock petrol stations until January 5

BANGKOK: -- Petrol stations across the country will be open around-the-clock from today until January 5 because people are going to be on the road a lot.

“This is to provide convenience to people who are going to travel during this time of the year,” said Energy Minister Prommin Lertsuridej. But petrol stations will close between midnight and 5am from January 6.

The government tightened controls on petrol prices in September in a bid to protect the economy from rising oil prices. They did not affect liquefied petroleum gas and natural gas prices. There are about 19,000 petrol stations across the country.

Since January, the government has spent more than Bt58 billion on oil subsidies.

Meanwhile, in a measure aimed at minimising road accidents during the festive season, the Road Safety Centre will use an Internet-based system to record and report road accidents in real time so officials at the head office can react to road situations quickly, the secretary to the centre said yesterday.

Sunthorn Riewluang, director-general of the Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation, said an e-report filing system had been installed in all districts.

District offices will record road accidents and file reports to regional offices, which will in turn compile reports.

Sunthorn said the system would also use on-line cameras allowing officials at the head office and provincial governors to see current traffic situations as they occur.

Real-time information will also help officials deal with traffic congestion, he said.

--The Nation 2004-12-24

yes they will be on the road alots, but not in bangkok petrol station