Dept. of Energy Business tightens rules on gas station safety

BANGKOK, 3 June 2016 (NNT) - The Department of Energy Business will increase penalties for gas station operators who fill the gas tank of customers who do not switch off engines or use mobile phones in the gas station.

Director-General of the Department of Energy Business Withoon Kulcharoenwat dismissed the rumors that there are penalties for the gas customers who keep their engines running or use a mobile phone. He said the Fuel Oils Control Act is only applicable to gas station operators. Penalties include a fine of up to 100,000 baht and/or up to one year in prison.

However, customers who might cause a spark in a gas station will face both civil and criminal liabilities.

The department had sent a letter to all gas stations nationwide to warn them about the penalties, said the director-general. He added that the department was in the process of increasing safety standards of oil, liquefied petroleum gas and natural gas businesses. Each service station will be required to have at least one staff who has been trained on fuel safety.

-- NNT 2016-06-03

Wait...

Just two days ago he dismissed reports the anyone will be fined as "completely groundless":

The Ministry of Energy has dismissed as untrue a report which has been circulating in the social media that anyone who uses mobile phone or who does not switch off the engine of his/her car while being refueled at gas stations will face a fine of 100,000 baht and/or one-year imprisonment.

Mr Vitoon Kulcharoenvirat, director-general of Energy Business Department of the Ministry of Energy, said Tuesday that the report was completely groundless and might cause public panic. He pleaded with netizens to stop sharing the false report. [http://englishnews.thaipbs.or.th/content/165500]

But now the same guys advises that someone, namely the operators themselves, will be fined:

The Department of Energy Business will increase penalties for gas station operators who fill the gas tank of customers who do not switch off engines or use mobile phones in the gas station.

Director-General of the Department of Energy Business Withoon Kulcharoenwat dismissed the rumors that there are penalties for the gas customers who keep their engines running or use a mobile phone. He said the Fuel Oils Control Act is only applicable to gas station operators. Penalties include a fine of up to 100,000 baht and/or up to one year in prison.

So the reports weren't completely groundless, were they?

Edited June 2, 201610 yr by jamesbrock

http://www.amta.org.au/articles/amta/Exploding.petrol.stations.exposed.as.a.mobile.myth

Ahhhh, the smell of a 'potential' revenue stream in the morning.

OK boys no more lighting up while filling the LPG tank or your Benzene tank.......LOL/555

Fire starter tip #23

Place your smartphone under a small pile of dry tinder, and ask a friend to give you a call.

When anticipating damp conditions, dip your phone in hot wax before traveling.

Remember, when not in use, store phone in airtight fireproof container, with approved safety markings.

Edited June 4, 201610 yr by phoenixdoglover

Wait...

Just two days ago he dismissed reports the anyone will be fined as "completely groundless":

The Ministry of Energy has dismissed as untrue a report which has been circulating in the social media that anyone who uses mobile phone or who does not switch off the engine of his/her car while being refueled at gas stations will face a fine of 100,000 baht and/or one-year imprisonment.

Mr Vitoon Kulcharoenvirat, director-general of Energy Business Department of the Ministry of Energy, said Tuesday that the report was completely groundless and might cause public panic. He pleaded with netizens to stop sharing the false report. [http://englishnews.thaipbs.or.th/content/165500]

But now the same guys advises that someone, namely the operators themselves, will be fined:

The Department of Energy Business will increase penalties for gas station operators who fill the gas tank of customers who do not switch off engines or use mobile phones in the gas station.

Director-General of the Department of Energy Business Withoon Kulcharoenwat dismissed the rumors that there are penalties for the gas customers who keep their engines running or use a mobile phone. He said the Fuel Oils Control Act is only applicable to gas station operators. Penalties include a fine of up to 100,000 baht and/or up to one year in prison.

So the reports weren't completely groundless, were they?

Only if you take the "anyone" out of context. The complete statement is 100% accurate.

BTW the same laws apply in Oz. The console operator should not start, or turn off the pump of anyone using a mobile phone or who has left the engine running.

Just like expiration dates on food, lack of 13th floor in some high-rise buildings and "non-GMO" food labels, gas station cell phone laws were put in place only to appeal to the general public's ignorance.