Cheap Diesel

[undercover]

Has anyone heard of this cheap diesel that the Thais call (sola) excuse my spelling of it as I have never even seen it advertised.

I have been told by different Thais that it is only really used in boats and tractors but some people use it in old pickups. old being the main point here as they say that if it is used in a modern diesel engine say a Triton or Hilux then you will get engine damage. they say this sola diesel is only 8 baht a liter ?

My point is this.... If you can use this diesel with an old pickup why not with a modern one ? also is the difference just the level of dirt in the diesel ? if so at 8 baht a liter maybe it's worth a good in line filter

Years ago in the UK they had a diesel that was for tractors and stationary engines. it was a different colour than the road diesel but many farmers ect used it in their land rovers and vans no problem.

[kartman]

The farmers etc can still use it no problem in their Land Rovers and vans, that is until Customs&Excise nab them for using fuel that duty has not been paid on,if the vehicle is used on public roads or taxed for public roads.

[kartman]

The farmers etc can still use it no problem in their Land Rovers and vans, that is until Customs&Excise nab them for using fuel that duty has not been paid on,if the vehicle is used on public roads or taxed for public roads.

[katabeachbum]

The farmers etc can still use it no problem in their Land Rovers and vans, that is until Customs&Excise nab them for using fuel that duty has not been paid on,if the vehicle is used on public roads or taxed for public roads.

Its called Solar(like in Europe), do you know its spec in LOS, content of Sulphur? I assume its close to Russian spec, which makes emission on EuroIII diesels illegal, thats all diesels in LOS since 2006.

Is it sold legally, or from boats/ships off the coast?

Caught in EU with this diesel on a road legal vehicle or a boat, fine is approx 300.000 baht. Dont know if its ever checked here

[jubby]

I used to here the term Solar years ago . I just assumed it was normal diesel .

If cheap diesel was available then you would think the local farmers would use it in their various farm machinery. But to my knowledge they use normal diesel. actually pay more for it locally than at a service station.

Diesel used to be a lot cheaper years ago as it was subsidised heavily.

[soundman]

A complete myth.

"Sola" is the generic name Thai's call diesel fuel, much the same as many foreigners call Benzene - "Petrol".

There is cheap fuel available in Thailand, it is illegally imported fuel that has been purchsed in another country which employ government subsidies in their fuel pricing, Malaysia for example.

From recollection, fuel in Malaysia is something like 20% cheaper than Thailand. (I stand to be corrected ).

Edit: Added - I think Grade B bunker fuel oil for boats (and industrial boliers) is subsidised by the Thai government, however, I don't recall it being that much cheaper than regular Euro III diesel & if caught using it illegally - apparently the fines are huge.

[katabeachbum]

A complete myth.

"Sola" is the generic name Thai's call diesel fuel, much the same as many foreigners call Benzene - "Petrol".

There is cheap fuel available in Thailand, it is illegally imported fuel that has been purchsed in another country which employ government subsidies in their fuel pricing, Malaysia for example.

From recollection, fuel in Malaysia is something like 20% cheaper than Thailand. (I stand to be corrected ).

ad Russian diesel/solar to the illegal sold list in LOS, containing approx 1200 ppm Sulphur its great for old large slow reving marine engines, but not suited for commonrail.

Its legally sold in international waters, but of course becomes illegal as it approaches Thai shore

"Solar" is used in Europe to describe diesel used in large boats/ships, agriculture machines etc. Preferred loaded with Sulphur

"Sola" is used in LOS to describe all diesel fuels, except B5, BTW od they call it "befie" and not "beha", guess it makes it more desirable