Thai December fuel demand up 7.4%

Demand for oil products in Thailand, excluding bitumen and liquefied petroleum gas, rose for the eighth month in December, up 7.4% from a year earlier to 618,684 barrels per day, Energy Ministry data showed. The pick-up in demand came at a time of relatively low oil prices and optimism that the economy was probably over its worst after falling into recession at the start of the year. Demand in December was mainly driven by a 31.1% rise in jet A-1, primarily due to the improving tourism industry in the country. (February 1, 2010)