Thailand's Fuel Consumption Falls 11.2% as E20-B20 Gains

The Energy Business Department has reported that Thailand's fuel consumption in April 2025 declined 11.2% compared to the same period last year, averaging 142.62 million liters per day and dropping 18.2% from March, reflecting broader economic slowdown. Saravuth Kaeotatip, director-general of the Energy Business Department, said the decline was reflected across gasoline, diesel, aviation fuel, liquefied petroleum gas (LPG), and natural gas vehicle fuel (NGV), though ethanol blend E20 and biodiesel B20 continued to grow due to state biofuel promotion programs.

Gasoline consumption fell 9.5% to 29.23 million liters per day, with standard 91 and 95 octane grades declining while E20 gasoline surged 14% to 6.12 million liters daily, driven by favorable pricing. Diesel consumption dropped sharply by 17.2% to 57 million liters per day amid economic contraction and reduced private sector activity, though B20 biodiesel climbed to 1.04 million liters daily due to government incentives and expanded service stations.

Aircraft fuel (Jet A1) usage fell 2.5% to 17.04 million liters per day as tourism contracted and Middle Eastern tensions raised fuel costs, while fuel oil rose 3.6% to 5.18 million liters daily alongside manufacturing and export growth. LPG consumption declined 4.4% to 17.76 million kilograms per day due to reduced petrochemical and transport demand, and NGV plummeted 23% to 2.03 million kilograms daily as service stations dwindled to 258 locations.

Fuel imports fell 26.4% to 834,782 barrels per day, though import values increased 17% due to higher global crude prices as Thailand sourced crude from alternative suppliers to reduce Middle Eastern dependence. Refined fuel exports dropped 41.1% to 94,190 barrels per day following a government export suspension to preserve domestic supply.