Gas station culture

[Phuket electrician]

There is a unique culture at gas / petrol stations world wide. In the UK fuel is called petrol and has to meet quality standards and price is variable. The majority are self service, pump your own petrol, pay with your credit card at the pump or in the 'shop'. This poses an issue for those who pay in the 'shop'. They will leave their car at the pump while they meander to the shop with it's many treats, special brew, porn, sweets and snacks, flowers and BBQ sundries. Meanwhile at the pump their car is blocking access and infuriating other 'impatient' patrons.

Current fuel price in the UK is one pound thirty pence per liter (Baht 65) Min wage in UK/day B2400 (1 liter 2.7% of daily pay)

In Thailand the fuel has a number or 'strange' name something to do with 'water'. And the price and quality of fuel fluctuates more than my neighbor's wife's smalls. The station may be referred to by the brand, PTT, Shell et al.

Motorbikes are only permitted at a designated pump, at the discretion, skill and judgement of the professional pump attendant. This 'well presented, educated, jolly character' is armed with strict instruction. It is not within their remit to acknowledge, speak, smile at you and heaven forbid remove the petrol cap. Play the dumb farang and wait for them to take it off and see the dilemma in their face.

Filling a car is another arduous and challenging task for the Thai gas station professional and 9 out of ten times they manage to get more in the car than on the floor. Ok 7 out of ten times.

Current fuel price in Thailand is B39 per liter (UK 78 pence) Min wage in Thailand/day B300 (1 liter 13% of daily pay)

Darwin's laughing in his death basket.

Edited October 8, 2013 by Phuket electrician

[FrankBlunt]

And your point is.......?

[KarenBravo]

You expect them to take the petrol cap off on your motorbike? Unbelievable......

You'll also find a very considerate practice at the motorbike pump.

After you receive change, you push your bike forward a metre, or so, before mounting to allow the next in queue to get to the pump quickly.

Edited October 8, 2013 by KarenBravo

[NamKangMan]

Wait till you see when "this well presented, educated, jolly character" uses all his "skill and judgement of the professional pump attendant" to miraculously fit around 7 litres of fuel in a tank that only holds 4.5 litres.

Now that truly is "gas staion culture" on Phuket.

Edited October 8, 2013 by NamKangMan

[stevenl]

I find it excellent that the pumps are serviced here in Thailand, and in general the service is good (quite often not friendly, but I don't think I'd be very friendly standing in those fumes day in and day out).

And no NKM, that hardly ever happens. Maybe time to own a bike before talking about things like this, acquiring knowledge on this forum will lead to limited views.

[LivinginKata]

Not Phuket specific. Moving to the Motor Forum.

[Shot]

I always use Shell for my truck. I find the attendant's polite, professional and efficient, never a drop of fuel on the ground.

<<<<<Can't say same for myself.

Edited October 8, 2013 by Shot

[NamKangMan]

I find it excellent that the pumps are serviced here in Thailand, and in general the service is good (quite often not friendly, but I don't think I'd be very friendly standing in those fumes day in and day out).

And no NKM, that hardly ever happens. Maybe time to own a bike before talking about things like this, acquiring knowledge on this forum will lead to limited views.

I do own a bike, but not a car, mainly do to parking issues here.

Yes, I will admit, I have not had the pump reset on me - I was distracted at the time - my fault.

It's never happened since. Now, I don't take the fuel cap off till I see the pump reset. As I have said in the past, I'm always learning here.

"And no NKM, that hardly ever happens" - so, it does happen, just "hardly."

I'm sure it "hardly" ever happens to tourists a lot more than you think.

Edited October 8, 2013 by NamKangMan

[phuketsub]

What drives me nuts is when they allow cars to go to the pumps in opposite directions, causing traffic chaos where none need exist. The worst offender that I am aware of is the Shell station at the corner of Phang Nga and Surin roads.

[keestha]

As a whole, I am quite satisfied with Thai gas station culture. Driving long distances, I stop at PTT gas stations which have a Cafe Amazon and a 7/11, and sometimes even a food center and/or a KFC or a Mac Donalds. Service is OK, and at least in branded gas stations they can always make a VAT receipt. I learned to speak slowly and repeat my order when the staff is Burmese.

Only 3 times I had a bad experience: once getting diesel mixed in with lamp oil, once a rigged meter or getting diesel mixed in with air, and once a not to bright employee filling up my pick up with 91 (regular) instead of diesel. Not a bad score considering the about 400.000 km mileage.

[mogandave]

I find it excellent that the pumps are serviced here in Thailand, and in general the service is good (quite often not friendly, but I don't think I'd be very friendly standing in those fumes day in and day out).

And no NKM, that hardly ever happens. Maybe time to own a bike before talking about things like this, acquiring knowledge on this forum will lead to limited views.

I do own a bike, but not a car, mainly do to parking issues here.

Yes, I will admit, I have not had the pump reset on me - I was distracted at the time - my fault.

It's never happened since. Now, I don't take the fuel cap off till I see the pump reset. As I have said in the past, I'm always learning here.

"And no NKM, that hardly ever happens" - so, it does happen, just "hardly."

I'm sure it "hardly" ever happens to tourists a lot more than you think.

I'm sure it "hardly" ever happens to SUCKERS a lot more than you think.

Same thing went on the US when it was full serve.

I do not have a problem with the service in Thailand, but I prefer the self-serve model in the US where I swipe my card, fill it up, print my receipt and go in under 5 minutes.

[muratremix]

There is no such thing as Gas station culture.

You drive in, order fuel, pay and leave.

in United States, I believe you pay first and then you put your fuel. Must be some kind of protection of pump station against thieves and criminals (never heard or saw this in any other developed country).

You can't complain the service of pump in Thailand. If you're not happy, just use another one.

[Ace of Pop]

Knowing My Luck, id get the O.P. sitting next to me on a Long Haul Flight.. Thai Gas Pump folk are generally jolly , i find.

[cooked]

Since I told the attendant at the gas station where I usually go that I am not a dog, he has stopped blowing his whistle at me. Ah, 'tis the small things in life that make me happy...

[anon210]

I always use Shell for my truck. I find the attendant's polite, professional and efficient, never a drop of fuel on the ground.

<<<<<Can't say same for myself.

I concur. I have used on occasion Esso gas stations, but not only do they look more shabby, but the attendants also behave way less professionally. Second best are the PTT stations, I guess.

[OMGImInPattaya]

I don't have any bikes but two SUVs and am always happy with the fillups I receive. One of the nicest things I discovered upon moving yo LOS was I not longer had to pump my own gas (so lo-so if you know what I mean). The fsct odt service stations are also mini strip malls, with mini marts and coffee shops makes them very convenient places to stop.

I have no idea what the op is talking about...maybe it's more to do with driving a moto than anything else.

[mogandave]

There is no such thing as Gas station culture.

You drive in, order fuel, pay and leave.

in United States, I believe you pay first and then you put your fuel. Must be some kind of protection of pump station against thieves and criminals (never heard or saw this in any other developed country).

You can't complain the service of pump in Thailand. If you're not happy, just use another one.

In the US you slide your credit card at the pump, or if you want to use cash, you go in, give tem the money and they turn the pump on. There are still paces with full service and pump first, but not many.

So how do they do it in other developed counties?

[arthurwait]

Nahm bow (dropped) l or r is water

Nahm mun/man is petrol or oily liquid. It's best to think nahm means liquid not water.

Most petrol station attendants are immigrants from surrounding countries who many Thais look down on and are often racially attacked and abused by Thais. This is why they keep their head down and do exactly as they have been told to do by their employers.

[BSJ]

You expect them to take the petrol cap off on your motorbike? Unbelievable......

You'll also find a very considerate practice at the motorbike pump.

After you receive change, you push your bike forward a metre, or so, before mounting to allow the next in queue to get to the pump quickly.

You'll also find a very considerate practice at the motorbike pump.

After you receive change, you push your bike forward a metre, or so, before mounting to allow the next in queue to get to the pump quickly.

That's become an annoyance to me. Every other time some &lt;deleted&gt;, usually farang, will be fritzing around with his wallet or something. It's much nicer when everyone follows the unwritten rules.

[IrishIvan]

I put the erratic and dopey behaviour by the petrol station attendants down to the fumes. There is no way you could pump gas all day like that and not get some kind of brain damage

Sent from my GT-N7100 using Thaivisa Connect Thailand mobile app

[Ace of Pop]

I put the erratic and dopey behaviour by the petrol station attendants down to the fumes. There is no way you could pump gas all day like that and not get some kind of brain damage

Sent from my GT-N7100 using Thaivisa Connect Thailand mobile app

To be Sure,there's an Irish Joke lurking not far away, but ill get Banned. No doubt some braver Members may risk one. .

[mogandave]

I put the erratic and dopey behaviour by the petrol station attendants down to the fumes. There is no way you could pump gas all day like that and not get some kind of brain damage

Sent from my GT-N7100 using Thaivisa Connect Thailand mobile app

To be Sure,there's an Irish Joke lurking not far away, but ill get Banned. No doubt some braver Members may risk one. .

Do you have any Irish in you?

[stevenl]

I put the erratic and dopey behaviour by the petrol station attendants down to the fumes. There is no way you could pump gas all day like that and not get some kind of brain damage

Sent from my GT-N7100 using Thaivisa Connect Thailand mobile app

To be Sure,there's an Irish Joke lurking not far away, but ill get Banned. No doubt some braver Members may risk one. .

Since his avatar is GermanIvan we can start the jokes about that

[Ace of Pop]

I put the erratic and dopey behaviour by the petrol station attendants down to the fumes. There is no way you could pump gas all day like that and not get some kind of brain damage

Sent from my GT-N7100 using Thaivisa Connect Thailand mobile app

To be Sure,there's an Irish Joke lurking not far away, but ill get Banned. No doubt some braver Members may risk one. .

Do you have any Irish in you?

Im not Gay.

[hansgruber]

They are victims of a chemical lobotomy.

Work safety is non existent

[Ace of Pop]

No Doubt , given time the BIBs will get them for Substance Abuse.T.I.T.

[IrishIvan]

If you saw the aborigines in Alice Springs its no laughing matter. Petrol sniffing is the national sport there. Braindamage and deformaties is rampant. The only rest they get is when they drink alcohol

Sent from my GT-N7100 using Thaivisa Connect Thailand mobile app