Prime Minister Anutin reveals plans to implement timed controls on fuel sales, suspending sales from 10 p.m. to 5 a.m., starting 20 April 2026, after the Songkran festival, with possible relaxation allowing sales of only E20 and B20 diesel outside these hours.
7 April 2026 GMT+7 Mr. Anutin Charnvirakul, Prime Minister and Minister of Interior spoke regarding clarifications on the measures to open and close gas stations stating that efforts are underway to implement oil conservation measures to ensure sufficient fuel supply for the country. He added that he would expedite the establishment of a new Operations and Monitoring Center for the Middle East conflict situation (OMC), as the previous one ended with the former government. He emphasized the intention to find every possible way to conserve energy during the Middle East war and to enforce controlled fuel usage as much as possible.
When asked if this would affect public travel, especially during the Songkran festival, Mr. Anutin said that the timing for implementing the opening and closing of gas stations from 22:00 to 05:00 would likely begin after 20 April 2026, to allow people to return from the festival and resume normal life first. He reiterated that, as previously stated, during Songkran, the government wants to ensure people can travel back to their hometowns as conveniently as possible.
Regarding whether a royal decree to amend the 1973 Act on Prevention and Mitigation of Fuel Shortages would be issued to specify details, the Prime Minister said that all directives have existing legal channels, and they aim to use the most effective and controllable methods. He did not specify when additional details of the decree would be announced.
When asked about assigning the Ministry of Energy to study refinery margins and report on the structure with deadlines, the Prime Minister said he has been accelerating and discussing this regularly with the relevant ministers.
Reports indicate that the timed opening and closing of gas stations will not mean complete closure but will involve selling only certain fuel types during specific hours. It is expected that only B20 diesel, a biodiesel blend, and E20 gasoline will be sold between 22:00 and 05:00, with sales of other fuels prohibited during these hours. .