Thailand's fuel consumption surged in the first quarter of this year, rising 5.3% year-on-year to an average of 167 million litres per day, according to the Department of Energy Business (DOEB).
The growth was recorded before the energy crisis triggered by US and Israeli military strikes on Iran, which disrupted global energy markets.
Sarawut Keawtathip, director-general of the DOEB, said oil prices dipped in the first quarter, enabling the state Oil Fuel Fund to collect contributions from gasoline and diesel users without needing to subsidise fuel costs.
This provided fiscal breathing room while demand for most fuel types expanded steadily.
High-speed diesel consumption rose by 5.3% to 72.3 million litres per day, while gasoline and gasohol usage climbed 6.4% to 33.2 million litres per day.
Aviation fuel demand continued its upward trajectory in the first quarter, with jet A-1 consumption averaging 20.0 million litres per day, up 4.3% year-on-year, reflecting a steady recovery in air travel supported by a surge in flight activity and cargo operations.
According to the DOEB, the number of flights in the quarter tallied 83,043, a 5.8% gain year-on-year, helping to drive jet fuel demand in Thailand.
Cargo transport also contributed to the growth, expanding 8.94% for the period.
Liquefied petroleum gas consumption grew 3.7% to 17.8 million kilogrammes daily, while fuel oil demand jumped 14% to 6 million litres per day, largely due to falling global market prices during that period.
However, compressed natural gas (CNG) continued its downward trajectory. Consumption dropped 14.3% to 2.16 million kg daily, compared with 2.52 million kg year-on-year.
The decline was attributed to the closure of numerous CNG refuelling stations over the past two years, making access more difficult for large truck operators and discouraging usage.
On the trade front, fuel imports fell 2.1% in volume to 1.06 million barrels per day, while the value of imports dropped 8.9% to 78.3 billion baht per month.
Exports also weakened, with daily volume down 16% to 126,711 barrels, valued at 11.5 billion baht per month, a 12.8% decrease, noted the DOEB.
