Thailand to phase out premium petrol

Energy policymakers reaffirmed plans to phase out premium petrol in favor of gasohol starting at the end of the year, despite concerns among motorists about possible engine damage, the Bangkok Post reports. Metta Banturngsuk, the director-general of the Energy Policy and Planning Office (EPPO), said that premium petrol (Octane 95) would be gradually phased out starting from January. To address concerns about a possible shortage, the ministry in August liberalized ethanol production and said newcomers would no longer need to apply for licenses. The Energy Ministrys goal is to produce eight million liters a day of gasohol by 2008. In related news, Metta said the committee has decided to raise the ceiling of levy collected from petrol sales to 4 baht (US$0.11) per liter from the existing 2.50 baht (US$0.07) per liter, to finance the debts of the state Oil Fund due to the governments oil-price subsidy policy. (October 13, 2006)