Petrol Stations Open 24hrs During Lunar New Year

Petrol stations open round the clock during Lunar New Year

BANGKOK: -- The Thai government said it has allowed petrol stations to stay open around the clock for a week during the current Lunar New Year’s celebrations.

''The ban has been relaxed only for this Chinese New Year period, as the demand for petrol is expected to be high as people travel outside of the city. It is for their convenience,'' Energy Minister Prommin Lertsuridej told TNA.

Last August the government banned diesel and petrol sales between midnight and 5 a.m. to help reduce the country’s imports of oil.

The law was relaxed on Sunday when the country went to polls.

But it would come back into force when the Lunar New Year celebrations end on 13 February, the minister said.

''The government needs to stick with this policy because world oil prices remain high. We need to continue urging people to help by saving energy,” he said.

--TNA 2005-02-07