Petrol Stations In Phuket

[CiaranO]

After the 5th time in the last 2 weeks driving from Chalong to the new bus terminal at 8.30pm, i have noticed that all the petrol stations are closed long the way. The bizarre part is the roads are filed with cars and its still very busy.

Is there a reason why they close so early?

[falkan]

Shell in downtown phuket town close around 01:00

[NomadJoe]

There is one or two farther south that close at 7pm! My theory is that this was a condition demanded of the locals in order for the locals to continue to sell gas from the Seangsom bottles after hours.

You can always buy a little gas from the un-staffed mini-pumps late at night if need be.

The early closings sure is difficult to get used to after coming from the states where gas stations are open 24/7 even if they aren't staffed, sort of like the 24/7 mini pumps but you can use your debit/credit card as well.

Edited September 5, 2012 by NomadJoe

[LivinginKata]

I seem to recall a few years ago when there was an energy crisis in Thailand the central government made a rule that gas stations close at 20.00 and the big shops could not open until 10.00. I remember the days when Lotus & BigC on bypass did not open until 10.00. That lasted quite a number of months and then seemed to be forgotten by the shops.

[stevenl]

I seem to recall a few years ago when there was an energy crisis in Thailand the central government made a rule that gas stations close at 20.00 and the big shops could not open until 10.00. I remember the days when Lotus & BigC on bypass did not open until 10.00. That lasted quite a number of months and then seemed to be forgotten by the shops.

I think it is longer than a few years ago, if I remember correctly Thaksin was PM then, and this gasstation opening times rule was implemented at about the same time the subsidies on petrol were abandoned.

AFAIK this rule is still in place, which is why the gasstations close early, with the exception of a few stations who were assigned to do the after hours duty. I do remember though that also before this rule was implemented gasstations closed quite early, I think there is also not much demand in the evenings, with people driving mostly short distances. At least not enough for a gasstation to remain open, which is of course far more costly than a bar having a few bottles of gasoline outside.

[CiaranO]

I just find it interesting the closing of gas stations so early.......especially on roads that have alot of traffic and the loss of business. I was thinking maybe there was a law or some licensing agreement which meant they have to close so early.

I understande if you are on a bike you can pull in a get a bottle of gas.....however if your in a car your fairly screwed.....just seems a bit odd to me.....

[NomadJoe]

I just find it interesting the closing of gas stations so early.......especially on roads that have alot of traffic and the loss of business. I was thinking maybe there was a law or some licensing agreement which meant they have to close so early.

I understande if you are on a bike you can pull in a get a bottle of gas.....however if your in a car your fairly screwed.....just seems a bit odd to me.....

Cars can use the 24 hour minipumps too, just more expensive. Buy what you need to get you through to the morning.

Edited September 6, 2012 by NomadJoe

[stevenl]

Except for diesels of course, so a big chunk of the cars can't use the minipumps. But for all cars: a matter of bad planning, everyone on the island knows the pumps are closed.

[CiaranO]

Yes i know the pumps are closed, but is there a reason why????????

[stevenl]

See posts #3, 4 and 5.

[Iolare]

The new PTT super-station on the main road between the Heroine's monument and Thalang on the west side is open 24/7.

[madmitch]

I seem to recall a few years ago when there was an energy crisis in Thailand the central government made a rule that gas stations close at 20.00 and the big shops could not open until 10.00. I remember the days when Lotus & BigC on bypass did not open until 10.00. That lasted quite a number of months and then seemed to be forgotten by the shops.

I think it is longer than a few years ago, if I remember correctly Thaksin was PM then, and this gasstation opening times rule was implemented at about the same time the subsidies on petrol were abandoned.

AFAIK this rule is still in place, which is why the gasstations close early, with the exception of a few stations who were assigned to do the after hours duty. I do remember though that also before this rule was implemented gasstations closed quite early, I think there is also not much demand in the evenings, with people driving mostly short distances. At least not enough for a gasstation to remain open, which is of course far more costly than a bar having a few bottles of gasoline outside.

I am pretty sure this law was rescinded some time ago. There are plenty of 24 hour gas stations in other places. Phuket is a bit odd, but you know if one opens they would all follow suit.

What about the big, fairly new, PTT in Thalang. Is that open late? Just answered in post above.

I remember at the same time they introduced this law they also banned golf driving ranges from using floodlights.

Edited September 6, 2012 by madmitch

[hkt83100]

The new PTT super-station on the main road between the Heroine's monument and Thalang on the west side is open 24/7.

So is the Caltex in Kathu at the junction with the police box. (7.910048°N, 98.333120°E)

[BabyJebus]

The new PTT super-station on the main road between the Heroine's monument and Thalang on the west side is open 24/7.

False. A week ago it was closed around 9:30/10pm

[Iolare]

The new PTT super-station on the main road between the Heroine's monument and Thalang on the west side is open 24/7.

False. A week ago it was closed around 9:30/10pm

I drive that stretch frequently at night, usually heading back north after an afternoon and evening of shopping and dining out, so I pass through between 10:30 to 1:00am usually. The Shell closes early, the Caltex station seems to be open until about 10:00 to 10:30pm, and the Esso station on the other side of the roadway advertises 24 hours on their sign but they're not open late. The PTT station has always been open including last week. Once I pulled in at about 15 minutes before midnight and they were closed for 20 minutes as they reset their pumps and did some accounting related meter reading, but they resumed selling at about midnight. I've been impressed by how busy they are at the midnight hour and that shows that the demand is definitely there for late night operations. If they have changed their operating hours I'd be very surprised and disappointed. I usually pass the other stations and go to the PTT even though they are the last possibility at that hour, because I like the place and I want to support them due to their operating hours.

[stevenl]

The new PTT super-station on the main road between the Heroine's monument and Thalang on the west side is open 24/7.

False. A week ago it was closed around 9:30/10pm

Yesterday between 22.00 and 23.00 hours (from return to Phuket to arrival at Rawai) that PTT station was the only one open coming from North.