The removal of gasohol 91 at retail petrol stations is expected to happen earlier than scheduled -- in 2021 -- to cut operating costs for fuel retailers, says the Department of Energy Business (DOEB).
Witoon Kulchareonwirat, director-general of the DOEB, said the agency will soon propose the accelerated move to energy policymakers seeking ways to lower the price of gasohol 95 to the same level or below the retail price of gasohol 91.
He said policymakers want to maintain the sale of gasohol 95 because its higher octane is compatible with more types of cars than gasohol 91.
Removing gasohol 91 will reduce the number of pumps at petrol stations, cutting operating costs for fuel retailers, Mr Witoon said.
There are three types of petrol available in Thailand's retail market: unleaded gasoline 95 (ULG95), which will remain in the market for supercars and motorists with special requirements; gasohol 95; and gasohol 91.
After the change, there will be only ULG95 and gasohol 95, Mr Witoon said.
Over the longer term, gasohol 95 is to be phased out by 2027, leaving the Thai petrol market with only biofuel E20 and E85.
Mr Witoon said the removal of gasohol 91 and gasohol 95 in the future will help push demand for E20 and E85, tripling sales to 25.4 million litres per day.
He said policymakers will also widen the price gap between gasohol 95 and E20, exceeding the current two-baht-per-litre span, to encourage motorists to switch to biofuels.
The price of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) in global markets has increased sharply because of the heavy storms and hurricanes that hit the US and Latin America, Mr Witoon said.
Rising LPG prices should encourage motorists to switch to petrol, he said.
The benchmark price of propane in September was US$514 (17,000 baht) per tonne, up almost $100 from a few months ago.