Gasohol 91 and 95 not facing immediate withdrawal, PM Anutin insists

Prime Minister and Interior Minister Anutin Charnvirakul has dismissed suggestions that Thailand is preparing to stop selling gasohol 91 and 95 in the immediate future, stressing that changes to the country's fuel supply must be supported by research and reliable figures.

Responding to reports that the government planned to phase out the two fuel grades and encourage motorists to switch to E20, Anutin acknowledged that Thailand would eventually need to restructure its energy sector.

He explained that the transition would involve building public confidence in fuels containing higher proportions of biodiesel or ethanol.

The Energy Ministry plans to consult vehicle manufacturers about informing motorists which models and production years are compatible with E20 petrol and B20 diesel, he added.

"That does not mean gasohol 91 or 95 will disappear tomorrow. That is not the case. I do not know where those reports came from," Anutin stressed.

Asked whether a proposed green-fuel initiative under the Thais Help Thais Plus programme could be introduced next year, Anutin referred the matter to Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Ekniti Nitithanprapas.

He explained that he had neither discussed the proposal with Ekniti nor previously heard about the initiative.

The prime minister emphasised that any such proposal would need to undergo proper study before being submitted for his consideration.

Officials must provide supporting information and concrete figures rather than make unsupported assertions, he stressed, adding that the proposal might still be under examination.

Anutin also noted that Thailand had already made considerable progress in its energy transition, with changes taking place gradually as circumstances evolved.

He pointed out that several energy resources were now available, providing opportunities to adjust the country's energy structure over time.

The government should pursue changes wherever possible if they could help address global warming, reduce carbon dioxide emissions and pollution, or lower Thailand's dependence on imported crude oil, he explained.

His clarification followed reports about a proposed two-phase restructuring of Thailand's fuel market.

Several media outlets, including news anchor Sorayuth Suthassanachinda on Channel 3's Rueng Lao Chao Nee programme, had reported details of a plan to discontinue gasohol 91 sales in early 2027 before gradually withdrawing gasohol 95.

The reported proposal also included promoting greater use of B20 diesel as part of efforts to increase renewable energy consumption and reduce crude oil imports.

The measures were presented as a way to support domestic agricultural prices, particularly for sugar cane, cassava and oil palm, which are used in the production of renewable fuel components.