Phuket’s daily fuel consumption exceeds one million litres
Phuket’s appetite for fuel is staggering. According to Rattakorn Klinchan, Chief of the Ministry of Energy Phuket Office, residents and tourists are now consuming more than one million litres daily, with demand set to climb even higher. Last year alone, fuel expenditure reached 13.7 billion baht — averaging 37.534 million baht per day and accounting for a massive 37.5% of Thailand’s total fuel purchases.
Rattakorn warned that much of this fuel is wasted in traffic jams, a growing issue as tourism surges. He stressed the urgent need for improved public transport, wider adoption of electric vehicles, and investment in renewable energy to ease the financial strain on households and the provincial budget.
Gasoline leads as Phuket’s top fuel choice
Gasoline dominates the island’s fuel consumption due to the heavy reliance on private vehicles. In 2024, Phuket consumed 205 million litres of gasoline and 190 million litres of diesel, averaging 561,643 litres per day. On top of that, residents used 22.2 million kilogrammes of LPG. Gasoline use alone surged by 8% compared to 2023, and officials expect even sharper increases this year.
Fuel in Phuket also costs more than in Bangkok, as it must be trucked onto the island. At the pump, 95 petrol sells for 34.04 baht per litre in Phuket, compared to 33.11 baht in the capital. While the difference seems small, it adds up to significant annual costs for families and businesses.
Oil Fund and subsidies ease but strain finances
Thailand’s relatively low petrol and diesel prices are partly thanks to the Oil Fund, which subsidises diesel but not gasoline. Former Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra succeeded in cutting the fund’s deficit, but rising global oil prices and local demand continue to exert pressure. Government interventions directly control gasoline prices, with PTT stations adjusting rates in line with policy decisions.
The Phuket Provincial Administrative Organisation (PPAO) also benefits, collecting revenue from fuel taxes and fees. Yet traffic congestion, subsidies, and energy imports remain a major financial burden on both the province and the Oil Fund. With 72 petrol stations across the island, Phuket’s energy demands reflect its reliance on private transport and high tourist numbers.
EVs and expressways: Phuket seeks solutions
Authorities are betting on infrastructure and electrification to curb demand. Major road projects, such as the Muang Mai – Koh Kaew – Kathu Expressway and Pa Khlok road expansion, are underway to relieve bottlenecks. However, Rattakorn admitted that road building alone will not solve congestion unless combined with robust public transport, including light rail and expanded bus services.
Electric vehicle adoption is slowly gaining traction in Phuket. EVs slash monthly running costs to around 2,000 baht compared with 5,000 baht for gasoline users, while reducing emissions. Still, challenges remain, such as battery degradation and a shortage of charging stations. Electric buses have already helped cut diesel use and subsidies, benefiting both the PPAO budget and the Oil Fund. But experts stress that EVs alone won’t fix gridlock. Affordable EV tuk-tuks, expanded bus fleets, and smarter routes are seen as critical steps toward easing congestion.
Call for public transport transformation
Rattakorn concluded that only by investing in public transport — from electric trains and buses to budget-friendly EV tuk-tuks — can Phuket break its reliance on private vehicles. Without such changes, fuel consumption, traffic chaos, and rising costs will continue to weigh heavily on the island’s future.