Thailand responds to energy crisis, plans to ban gas stations from operating at night after Songkran
To address fuel shortages, the Thai government is considering banning gas stations from operating at night starting April 20, after the Songkran festival. Amid rising fuel prices due to the Middle East conflict, the government is exploring conservation measures, and the Ministry of Transport has announced subsidies for bus operators and a new fare structure. The Energy Policy Management Committee has decided to reduce diesel refining profits, lowering retail prices by 2.14 baht per liter.
📋 Article Processing Timeline
- 📰 Published: April 7, 2026 at 23:29
- 🔍 Collected: April 8, 2026 at 00:00 (31 min after Published)
- 🤖 AI Analyzed: April 15, 2026 at 19:17 (187h 17m after Collected)
The Nation and other media reported that to address fuel shortages, Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul stated today in a speech at the Ministry of Interior that the government might implement a night-time sales ban for gas stations as early as April 20. However, he emphasized that this would not affect public travel during the Songkran festival from April 11 to 15.
Songkran, the Buddhist New Year also known as the Water Festival, is one of Thailand's important festivals, celebrated from April 13 to 15 each year, and is a time for Thais to return home for the holidays. This year, the first two days of Songkran fell on a weekend, making the holiday a total of five days.
Anutin, who also serves as Thailand's Minister of Interior, said he would accelerate the establishment of a new Middle East conflict management and monitoring center. Previously, the committee's term had ended with the previous government.
He added that the government plans to find all possible energy-saving methods during the ongoing Middle East conflict and may be forced to take strict measures to control fuel consumption.
In addition, some bus operators stated that bus services might be reduced during the Songkran return travel rush.
Bangkok Post reported today that inter-provincial bus and van operators said that if the government refused to provide relevant subsidies, they would be forced to reduce services starting on the 9th. They explained that due to soaring diesel prices, they could not afford operating costs and thus had to reduce services.
In response, the Thai Ministry of Transport stated that it would subsidize bus operators during Songkran and would also introduce a new fare structure afterward to better reflect operating costs.
With the ongoing Middle East conflict and reduced government subsidies, Thai fuel prices have risen sharply in recent weeks. Diesel prices rose to a record high of about 50.54 Thai baht (about NT$49.55) per liter starting on the 5th.
Thailand's newly appointed Energy Minister Akanat Promphan, after chairing a meeting of the Energy Policy Management Committee (Epac) today, ordered a reduction in diesel refining profits to lower retail fuel prices by 2.14 Thai baht per liter. The new prices are expected to take effect on the 9th. (Editor: Hsieh Yi-hsuan) 1150407
Songkran, the Buddhist New Year also known as the Water Festival, is one of Thailand's important festivals, celebrated from April 13 to 15 each year, and is a time for Thais to return home for the holidays. This year, the first two days of Songkran fell on a weekend, making the holiday a total of five days.
Anutin, who also serves as Thailand's Minister of Interior, said he would accelerate the establishment of a new Middle East conflict management and monitoring center. Previously, the committee's term had ended with the previous government.
He added that the government plans to find all possible energy-saving methods during the ongoing Middle East conflict and may be forced to take strict measures to control fuel consumption.
In addition, some bus operators stated that bus services might be reduced during the Songkran return travel rush.
Bangkok Post reported today that inter-provincial bus and van operators said that if the government refused to provide relevant subsidies, they would be forced to reduce services starting on the 9th. They explained that due to soaring diesel prices, they could not afford operating costs and thus had to reduce services.
In response, the Thai Ministry of Transport stated that it would subsidize bus operators during Songkran and would also introduce a new fare structure afterward to better reflect operating costs.
With the ongoing Middle East conflict and reduced government subsidies, Thai fuel prices have risen sharply in recent weeks. Diesel prices rose to a record high of about 50.54 Thai baht (about NT$49.55) per liter starting on the 5th.
Thailand's newly appointed Energy Minister Akanat Promphan, after chairing a meeting of the Energy Policy Management Committee (Epac) today, ordered a reduction in diesel refining profits to lower retail fuel prices by 2.14 Thai baht per liter. The new prices are expected to take effect on the 9th. (Editor: Hsieh Yi-hsuan) 1150407