Petrol stations open round-the-clock over Songkran festival

BANGKOK: -- The government will allowed petrol stations throughout the country to operate round-the-clock during next week’s Songkran festival, Thailand's traditional New Year.

Energy Minister Viset Choopiban signed the order on Friday, which will permit petrol stations and oil trading shops to open 24 hours between 12-18 April.

They will, however, have to return to early closing from 19 April, in line with the government’s fuel conservation campaign, as world oil prices continue to rise and the government-sponsored Oil Fund has had to subsidise both gasoline and diesel, the energy minister said.

The government has subsidised both fuels since January 2004.

It has cost the government more than 80 billion baht in that time, most of it on diesel.

Petrol stations, excluding the sales of LPG and NGV, have had to close their businesses between midnight and 5.00 a.m. daily since last September, to help conserve energy.

Petrol outlets urged not to sell liquor during Songkran festival

BANGKOK, Apr 9 (TNA) - Convenient stores at petrol stations across the country have been urged not to sell liquor during the forthcoming Songkran festival.

This is for the sake of motorists and travellers' safety, according to Deputy Prime Minister and Interior Minister Pol. Gen. Chidchai Vanasatidya.

"Although there'll be no compulsion, I'd like to ask outlets at petrol stations across the country to suspend their liqour sale during the Songkran festival next week for the sake of the Sonkran's revellers themselves", he told journalists here today.

This year the government plans to reduce road accidents during the nationwide Songkran celebrations by 15 percent.

Pol. Gen. Chidchai inspected traffic conditions via a helicopter this morning, as Thais began to leave the capital for their hometowns for the annual family re-union and traditional Thai New Year celebration period.

The deputy premier and interior minister said that over 2.500 metropolitan police officers had been deployed at key points to facilitate the flow of vehicles to the provincial areas.

--TNA 2005-04-09

Just liquor?

Beer is OK................

I read somewhere else that Trucks carrying Gasoline and other "dangerous" goods were being banned from the roads over Songkran to avoid accidents.

If this does happen I can imagine lots of people stranded upcountry with no fuel to get back to Bangkok - it's also pretty pointless allowing the Retail Stations to open because they will have no Product after the first day or so.

Patrick

I read somewhere else that Trucks carrying Gasoline and other "dangerous" goods were being banned from the roads over Songkran to avoid accidents.

That the highways are too dangerous to run petrol delivery trucks the next few days speaks volumes about the Songkran festival...

Petrol stations open round-the-clock over Songkran festival

BANGKOK: -- The government will allowed petrol stations throughout the country to operate round-the-clock during next week’s Songkran festival, Thailand's traditional New Year.

Wouldnt it be better if they SHUT all the petrol stations over the festival and maybe AVOID the carnage thats seems to be a part of this annual so called happy (sic)occasion