Petrol in Thailand: fuel imports, the market and petrol types at filling stations
Petrol and fuel in Thailand · market · imports · fuel types at filling stations
Want to supply petrol or other fuel to Thailand, or simply figure out what to put in your car or motorbike? This article covers how Thailand's fuel market works, whether you can realistically sell your own petrol here, how to avoid scammers and what fuel is sold at Thai filling stations.
Mike Boldyrev: 14 years in Thailand, interpreter and business representative. I help foreign companies understand the Thai market, check partners and negotiate in Thai.
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Fuel types at Thai filling stations
Does Thailand have its own petrol?
People often write that Thailand has no petrol of its own and all fuel is imported. That is not true. Thailand has large oil refineries. The country mainly imports crude oil, refines it into petrol, diesel and other products itself, and exports part of them to neighbouring countries.
The fuel market is controlled by major players: the national company PTT, Thai Oil, Bangchak and international brands. Fuel prices are partly regulated by the state, including through a special stabilisation fund.
Importing petrol and fuel into Thailand: is it realistic?
Selling fuel in Thailand is possible, but the barrier to entry is high. Here is what you need to understand before you start:
- Licences and mandatory reserves. Fuel trading is regulated by the state. Major traders operate under licence and must hold mandatory fuel reserves.
- Quality standards. Fuel must meet Thai standards, and in recent years the country has moved to stricter environmental requirements.
- Taxes and levies. Excise, levies and VAT. We calculate the final deal economics in advance.
- Logistics. Tanker deliveries, terminals and storage are infrastructure you need access to.
- International restrictions. Supplies of petroleum products from a number of countries, including Russia, are subject to international restrictions that affect shipping, insurance and bank payments. I work only with lawful arrangements and transparent payments.
My view: for a small exporter it is more realistic to enter the market through licensed Thai traders or with niche products such as lubricants, motor oils, bitumen and specialty oils than to compete with national refineries in petrol.
Who the buyers can be
Licensed traders
Companies licensed to trade fuel that buy petroleum products for their network and customers.
Distributors
Independent fuel suppliers to filling stations, businesses and transport companies.
Industrial consumers
Factories, construction and logistics companies, fishing fleets, plantations.
Oil distributors
Buyers of lubricants, motor and industrial oils.
Beware: fraud in fuel deals
Fuel trading is one of the areas with especially many scammers and empty-handed middlemen. Typical signs:
- 🔗A long chain of brokersNo one has actually seen the real seller or buyer.
- 📉Below-market price“Great offers” on EN590, JP54 and other grades.
- 💸Payment up frontThey ask you to pay “for procedures”, documents or checks.
- 📄Unverifiable documentsPapers on availability of goods and funds that cannot be verified.
- 🚫No in-person meetingRefusal to meet or to visit the office or terminal.
I check the Thai counterparty on the ground: company registration, licences, a real office and a link to infrastructure, before you sign anything or send money.
How I help fuel and oil suppliers
- Market assessment. How realistic your product is for Thailand, who the competitors are and what the requirements are.
- Finding buyers. Traders, distributors and industrial consumers matched to your product.
- Partner checks. Registration, licences, whether the company is real: protection against scammers.
- Meetings and negotiations. I arrange meetings and negotiate in Thai. Contracts are reviewed by licensed lawyers.
Which petrol to use in Thailand: fuel types at filling stations
Thai filling stations offer many fuel types, and it is easy to get confused the first time. The main rule: check what is written on the fuel filler flap of your car or motorbike and choose by the label on the pump. Sign colours differ between station chains, so go by the name, not the colour.
| Fuel | What it is | Who it is for |
|---|---|---|
| Gasohol 95 (E10) | 95-octane petrol with about 10% ethanol | Most cars and motorbikes |
| Gasohol 91 (E10) | The same but 91-octane, usually a little cheaper | Motorbikes and cars approved for 91 by the manufacturer |
| Gasohol E20 | Petrol with about 20% ethanol | Only vehicles approved for E20 (shown on the filler flap) |
| Gasohol E85 | Up to 85% ethanol | Flex-fuel cars only |
| Benzine 95 | Ethanol-free petrol, not sold at every station and more expensive | Vehicles that must not use ethanol |
| Diesel | Diesel with a bio blend; premium diesel is also available | Diesel cars, pickups, trucks |
| NGV | Compressed natural gas | Taxis and buses with gas equipment |
| LPG | Liquefied petroleum gas (autogas) | Cars with gas equipment |
The range of fuels and prices change from time to time by government decision; the station chains publish current prices themselves.
How to ask for fuel in Thai
At most Thai filling stations an attendant fills up for you. Two phrases will come in handy:
| In Thai | Pronunciation | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| เติมแก๊สโซฮอล์ 95 เต็มถัง ครับ/ค่ะ | toem kaet-so-ho kao-sip-ha tem thang, khrap/kha | Gasohol 95, full tank, please |
| เติม 500 บาท ครับ/ค่ะ | toem ha-roi baht, khrap/kha | 500 baht worth, please |
Men say “khrap”, women say “kha”.
Been in an accident, need to go to the police, buying a car or getting a licence? I interpret and accompany you at the police, the insurance company and the Department of Land Transport. Interpreting → · Driving licence →
What my services cost
up to 30 minutes: we assess how realistic your project is
per day; I estimate the scope in days in advance
half a day: police, insurance, DLT
All prices include 7% VAT.
Transport, duties and fees are paid separately. Payment is by PromptPay, bank transfer in Thailand or SWIFT from abroad.
Please note: I am an interpreter and business representative, not a lawyer or an oil trader. Licences, company registration and legal review of contracts are handled by my company UNBLOCK PRO ASIA together with licensed specialists. I work only within the law and with transparent payments.
Frequently asked questions
Does Thailand have its own petrol?
Yes. Thailand has large oil refineries. The country mainly imports crude oil and produces petrol and diesel itself.
Can Russian petrol be sold in Thailand?
Fuel can be imported only through licensed market participants, in line with Thai standards and taking international restrictions into account. We assess how realistic a specific project is during a consultation.
What petrol should I put in a motorbike in Thailand?
Usually Gasohol 91 or 95: check what is shown on the filler flap. E20 only if the manufacturer allows it.
What is Gasohol?
It is petrol blended with ethanol. The number (91 or 95) is the octane rating, and E10, E20, E85 give the approximate ethanol percentage.
Can I put E85 in an ordinary car?
No, E85 is only for cars designed for it (flex-fuel).
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Want to enter Thailand's fuel market? Message me
Tell me about your product and volumes. I'll give you an honest view of the prospects, check potential partners and tell you what the work will cost.