Gasohol 91 and 95 will not end soon, Anutin says

Gasohol 91 and gasohol 95 will not disappear from Thai petrol stations any time soon, Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul said, after online posts claimed both fuels would be phased out in 2027. Speaking at Government House on November 11, he said ending sales was only an idea for the future and that no timeframe has been set, The Thaiger reported.

Where the gasohol 91 rumour came from

Posts shared on social media this week said the government planned to remove both blends, leaving drivers to choose only between regular petrol and E20, a fuel with 20% ethanol. The claim worried many motorists, especially owners of older cars that cannot run safely on E20.

Some users also pointed to the cost. Regular petrol (benzine) is more expensive than the gasohol blends, so losing the cheaper options would push up the cost of driving for millions of households.

Anutin first questioned where the information had come from. He then explained that phasing out the two blends had been discussed as a possible future step, not a decision.

"It is not as if gasohol 91 or gasohol 95 will be gone tomorrow," he told reporters, according to The Thaiger.

Why the government wants more E20 and B20

The prime minister said the government wants people to feel more confident about fuels blended with ethanol and biodiesel. Wider use of these fuels, he said, could:

• Cut carbon dioxide emissions from vehicles
• Reduce air pollution in cities and towns
• Lower the cost of importing crude oil

He added that the Energy Ministry has already talked with car makers about promoting E20 petrol and B20 diesel, including giving buyers clear information on which models can use them.

No date for any change

Asked whether a switch could happen in 2027, Anutin said the timing would depend on readiness. Government agencies would first have to send studies and supporting figures before he would consider approving any proposal.

He stressed that the idea is at an early stage. The Bangkok Post also reported this week that changes to gasohol have sparked debate within the fuel and auto industries.

In a separate step, the prime minister asked the Energy Ministry and state energy firm PTT to look at ways to improve the quality of E20 and B20 fuels, a common complaint among drivers.

Recent fuel policy moves

The comments follow a series of energy measures. Last month the government cut excise tax on E20 petrol and B20 diesel to ease living costs and help farmers and transport workers. Earlier in November, cuts to pump prices also took effect, as we reported in Thailand fuel price cuts start Nov 6.

Diesel prices have been a sensitive issue too, with transport groups staging protests over costs, covered in our report on the Thailand diesel protest. At the same time, the government is reshaping car taxes to steer the market, including a planned EV import tax rise.

What it means for drivers in Phuket

For now, nothing changes at the pump. Drivers on Phuket and across Thailand can keep buying the blends they use today. Anyone unsure whether their car can take E20 should check the owner's manual, the fuel cap label or ask the dealer, rather than switching on the strength of social media posts.

Businesses that run vehicle fleets, such as rental firms and tour operators, may want to watch for any formal study from the Energy Ministry, since that would be the first sign of a real timetable.

Ethanol-blended fuels have been sold in Thailand for many years, and the debate over the next step is likely to continue as agencies prepare their studies. Phuket Times will follow any official announcement on fuel blends.

Image: A Bangchak petrol station in Thailand; gasohol 91 and 95 remain on sale nationwide. Photo by User:Mattes, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.