Bangkok: Worrying trends have emerged in Thailand’s energy sector, as the use of diesel fuel, a key economic indicator, fell by 1.3 percent in the first four months of 2025. This decline comes amid a notable increase in Jet A1 fuel usage, which surged by an average of 14.0 percent due to a booming tourism sector and increased aircraft transportation.
According to Thai News Agency, Mr. Sarawut Kaewtatip, Director-General of the Department of Energy Business, reported that the overall fuel consumption from January to April 2025 was 159.27 million liters per day, marking a 1.2 percent increase compared to the same period last year. This rise is in line with the expansion of the Thai economy, which grew by 3.11 percent in the first quarter of 2025 (QoQ). Notably, commercial aviation fuel (Jet A1) and fuel oil consumption increased by 14.0 percent and 4.1 percent, respectively, while gasoline usage slightly decreased by 0.03 percent. LPG usage fell by 0.8 percent, diesel at gas stations decreased by 1.3 percent, and NGV usage dropped by 15.6 percent.
The breakdown of fuel usage from January to April 2025 compared to the previous year shows that gasoline consumption averaged 31.84 million liters per day, a minor decline of 0.03 percent. This includes reductions in gasohol 91, gasohol E20, gasoline, and gasohol E85 usage. Meanwhile, gasohol 95 maintained the highest market share, increasing to 19.15 million liters per day due to its favorable price difference compared to gasohol 91. However, the gasoline market is showing signs of slowing as electric vehicles (BEV, HEV, and PHEV) gain popularity, representing 6.11 percent of private passenger cars with up to 7 seats. Additionally, the expansion of electric mass transit has led to a 4.46 percent increase in passengers compared to the previous year.
Diesel consumption at service stations saw an average daily usage of 68.53 million liters, a 1.3 percent decline. Regular diesel usage fell to 68.50 million liters per day, while B20 diesel decreased to 0.03 million liters per day. However, basic diesel usage increased to 2.20 million liters per day, resulting in an overall diesel consumption of 70.73 million liters per day. The decline in diesel usage is attributed to the early stages of reciprocal tariffs and uncertainty, which have slowed private consumption and investment, despite a 0.6 percent industrial production sector growth in the first quarter, driven by export production expansion.
Jet A1 fuel consumption averaged 18.78 million liters per day, up 14.0 percent, fueled by a 2.714 percent increase in both Thai and foreign visitors, as well as expanded air cargo services. Despite a slight decline of 0.26 percent in foreign tourist numbers, totaling approximately 12 million in the first four months of 2025, the drop was primarily due to a 19.975 percent decline in Northeast Asian tourists, particularly from China, influenced by global trade policy concerns.
LPG consumption averaged 17.50 million kg per day, a decrease of 0.8 percent, with declines in the petrochemical and transport sectors, while household and industrial consumption rose. NGV usage saw a significant decline of 15.6 percent, aligning with a decrease in registered NGV vehicles and the closure of service stations. PTT continues to support NGV through a privilege card project for taxis and public buses, despite a price increase to reflect costs.
Fuel oil imports averaged 1,087,233 barrels per day, a 3.1 percent increase, with a total import value of 86,398 million baht per month. Crude oil imports rose by 6.2 percent, while refined oil imports fell by 50.9 percent. The average export of refined oil decreased by 0.1 percent, with a total export value of 13,056 million baht per month.