thailand enforce overnight

Thailand to Enforce Overnight Gas Station Shutdown After Songkran

ByJustpaste.in

BANGKOK — In a sweeping bid to curb national energy consumption amid escalating geopolitical tensions in the Middle East, the Thai government will mandate the overnight closure of all petrol stations starting April 20, Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul announced today.

Missing 57 Million Litres of Fuel Off-Loaded at Sea, Justice Minister Says

The new operating hours, which will shut down petrol stations between 10 p.m. and 5 a.m., are designed to take effect immediately after the Songkran festival, which begins on April 13. The timing allows citizens to travel home for the traditional New Year celebrations before the restrictions kick in. The measure represents the government’s most visible effort yet to tighten energy use as the conflict in the Middle East shows little sign of abating, according to Anutin.

Speaking after a special Cabinet meeting, the prime minister acknowledged that the geopolitical situation is severely disrupting global supply chains. With Thailand importing approximately half of its energy from the Middle East, the government is bracing for a prolonged period of high costs not only for fuel and electricity but also for petrochemical products such as fertilisers and plastics. Anutin warned that even if the fighting were to stop tomorrow, the restoration of damaged production facilities and infrastructure would take considerable time, forcing Thailand to adjust its way of life to face this new reality. He emphasised that national unity is the country’s most important social capital during these trying times and pledged a comprehensive strategy to mitigate the impact of soaring global energy prices.

Beyond the overnight gas station shutdown, the government is exploring more aggressive ways to curb domestic fuel consumption while global energy prices remain volatile. Deputy Prime Minister Pakorn Nilprapunt revealed following the special Cabinet meeting that Anutin has authorised the use of certain provisions under the 1973 Emergency Decree on Fuel Shortage Prevention to manage the crisis. Pakorn also announced that a government work-from-anywhere initiative will be rolled out to reduce commuting, confirming that civil servants can begin remote operations across government agencies immediately.

At yesterday’s meeting, the Cabinet tasked the Committee for the Appropriateness of Fuel Cost Determination, chaired by Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Ekniti Nitithanprapas, with conducting an urgent study on reducing refining margins and excise taxes. Pakorn explained that the committee must first approve the appropriateness of these cost adjustments before the government can move forward with any formal mandate. The finance and energy ministries are currently reviewing the wholesale oil price structure, specifically looking to remove any inflated insurance and transport costs from the refining fee formula. Energy Minister Akanat Promphan is expected to summon refinery representatives for talks today to negotiate a reduction in these margins to reflect actual costs.

As part of its broader response, the government plans to shield the public from external shocks through a three-pronged relief plan. This includes reallocating the public sector budget by cutting non-essential spending and diverting those funds into relief programmes for citizens. At the same time, authorities will prioritise energy price restructuring, focusing on revamping fuel and electricity pricing mechanisms to ease the financial burden on households and businesses as quickly as possible. The government will also roll out targeted economic stimulus measures, including the Khon La Khrueng Plus (Half-and-Half Plus) scheme, the Thai Help Thai programme, and low-interest loans to support farmers, industry, and small and medium-sized enterprises.

Inspections Conducted Nationwide Reveal Underfilled Gas Tanks

Anutin described the situation as a global crisis requiring collective sacrifice to maintain national economic stability and urged the public to cooperate with the energy-saving initiatives. He expressed confidence that public cooperation will be key to maintaining stability and overcoming the disruption, adding that the government has chosen to speak frankly about the severity of the crisis in the interest of transparency.

-Thailand News (TN)

Similar Posts

  • | |

    Pablo Alborán cancels concert after revealing sev…

    ByJustpaste.in

    Pablo Alborán has delivered disappointing news to his fans after being forced to cancel an upcoming concert because of illness. The Spanish singer-songwriter announced that he will not perform in Ciudad Real on August 21 after doctors diagnosed him with severe pneumonia. The concert was scheduled as part of his ongoing KM0 tour and had already sold out, making the cancellation especially disappointing for fans who were looking forward to seeing him live. (Diario AS⁠) Alborán shared the health update with his followers on social media, explaining that he had been advised by doctors to take complete rest for the next few days. He apologized for having to cancel the performance and thanked fans for filling the special concert. The singer also tried to reassure those worried about him. He said he had already started taking antibiotics and asked people to treat the news calmly rather than spreading speculation or sensational headlines about his condition. (Diario AS⁠) His message came just days after a busy run of performances. Earlier this month, Alborán performed his KM0 tour in the Canary Islands, where thousands of fans attended his shows. The tour features both his newer material and well-known songs including “Solamente Tú” and “Saturno.” (Cadena SER⁠) The cancelled Ciudad Real concert was scheduled for the Auditorio Municipal La Granja as part of the city’s Feria y Fiestas celebrations. Organizers confirmed that ticket holders will receive automatic refunds. The refund process is expected to begin on August 24, with the money returned through the original payment method within approximately 48 to 72 hours. (OndaCero⁠) For Alborán, the setback comes at an important point in his international touring schedule. Following his Spanish dates, he is expected to continue with performances later in August before heading to Latin America in the coming months. His upcoming international dates include concerts in Mexico during October. (www.ocesa.com.mx⁠) Despite the sudden interruption, the singer remains optimistic about returning to the stage. His message made clear that his immediate priority is recovery rather than rushing back to work. Alborán is no stranger to major international recognition. The singer has received numerous Latin Grammy nominations throughout his career, including recognition for his album La Cu4rta Hoja. The Recording Academy has noted his remarkable history of 29 Latin Grammy nominations. (Grammy⁠) For now, fans are sending their support as the singer takes time to recover. While missing a sold-out concert is undoubtedly disappointing, Alborán’s decision to follow medical advice gives him the best chance of returning to the stage fully recovered. His fans will now have to wait a little longer to hear him perform live again.

  • | |

    Three suspected robbers killed in Karachi police e…

    ByJustpaste.in

    KARACHI: Three suspected robbers were killed during a police encounter in the Umar Brohi Goth area of Gulshan-e-Maymar, Karachi, police said. According to officials, the suspects had taken shelter inside a house. Acting on information about their presence, police reached the location and launched an operation. The suspects allegedly opened fire at the police team, prompting officers to return fire. Three suspects sustained gunshot wounds during the exchange. Police shifted them to a nearby hospital for medical treatment, but all three reportedly died while en route. Police identified the deceased suspects as Suresh, Ramchand and Anil. Authorities said the three men were allegedly involved in several criminal activities, and investigators are now collecting details of their previous criminal records to determine their involvement in other cases. A police officer also suffered injuries during the encounter and received medical treatment at a hospital. Officials said the investigation into the incident remains underway. Meanwhile, police carried out operations in other parts of Karachi and arrested five more suspected robbers. Authorities said further investigations are in progress, while efforts continue to trace and apprehend other suspects involved in street crime and robbery cases across the city.

  • | |

    NCLEX programme under fire: only 7 nurses pass out…

    ByJustpaste.in

    Islamabad: A Government backed programme designed to help Pakistani nurses qualify for international jobs came under strong questioning in the National Assembly after lawmakers raised concerns over the transparency, student selection and results of the NCLEX Nursing Training Programme. The National Assembly Standing Committee on Federal Education and Professional Training questioned how a Rs 150 million programme selected its training partner and why only seven nurses had cleared the NCLEX exam out of 500 trainees so far. The committee supported opportunities for Pakistani nurses to work abroad but demanded complete transparency regarding the programme’s planning, the selection of the implementing partner, and the use of public money. The issue was discussed during the 25th meeting of the committee, where members reviewed the performance and implementation of the NCLEX Nursing Training Programme launched by the National Vocational and Technical Training Commission (NAVTTC). NAVTTC Executive Director Muhammad Amir Jan informed the committee that before this initiative, Pakistani nurses had to travel to countries such as Dubai, Bahrain, Turkey and Thailand to appear in the NCLEX examination. He said that with support from SIFC, NAVTTC was given responsibility to bring the examination system to Pakistan for the first time through Pearson VUE during 2024 and 2025. Officials informed the committee that the programme was designed to train 500 nurses. The training phase has been completed, 182 nurses have applied for the NCLEX examination and seven nurses have successfully cleared the test. However, members questioned the low success rate and asked whether the programme was producing the expected results. One committee member pointed out that seven successful candidates out of 500 trainees represented a very small percentage and questioned whether the programme needed improvements before more public funds were spent. NAVTTC officials defended the programme, saying that NCLEX is a difficult international examination and nurses who pass the test still require additional time before moving abroad for employment. Officials said nurses might need eight to eighteen months after passing the exam before they can travel for work opportunities. The committee also raised questions about the selection of the implementing partner, the Institute of Contemporary Studies. Members questioned whether a public advertisement was issued before selecting the organisation or if other institutions were given an opportunity to compete. They said programmes funded through public money must follow transparent procedures to maintain public confidence. NAVTTC officials explained that the programme was developed under an industry led model and was based on a proposal received from the Pakistan Nursing and Midwifery Council. They said such programmes do not always follow open advertisement procedures because they are based on specific industry requirements. However, members questioned whether a government body could recommend a specific private organisation without a competitive process. The committee also raised concerns about the role of the Pakistan Nursing and Midwifery Council. Members noted that in previous discussions, representatives of the council had stated they were not fully aware of the nurse selection process and training arrangements. NAVTTC officials responded that the council had formally approached NAVTTC for the project and that decisions taken by government bodies should be accepted by all stakeholders involved. Financial matters also came under discussion. NAVTTC informed the committee that the total project cost was Rs 150 million and that Rs 87 million had been released so far. Officials clarified that the remaining funds would be released only after achieving agreed results under a performance-based payment system. They said a bank guarantee was also available to protect government funds. The committee also questioned the quality and locations of the training centres. MNA Dr Shazia Sobia Aslam Soomro raised concerns about some training locations, including Matta in Swat, and asked how proper facilities and monitoring were ensured in those areas. NAVTTC officials responded that Khyber Medical University conducted training in Matta and promised to provide complete details of nurses trained there. Questions were also raised about trainer qualifications. Members asked how individuals with nursing degrees could provide NCLEX preparation training. Officials explained that trainers must themselves be NCLEX qualified according to programme requirements. The committee further discussed the selection of nurses for training. NAVTTC officials said their role was to set eligibility criteria, not directly select candidates. They explained that under the pay for success model, the training provider selects participants because the provider is responsible for results. At the conclusion of the meeting, the committee decided to invite the Pakistan Nursing and Midwifery Council in the next session to clarify the selection process of nurses and the appointment of the training partner. Chairperson Mahtab Akbar Rashdi said that every concern must be properly addressed because public funds were involved and the programme was created to provide international opportunities for Pakistani nurses.

  • | |

    Kaia Gerber, Lewis Pullman’s romance reaches maj…

    ByJustpaste.in

    Kaia Gerber and Lewis Pullman are quietly taking their romance to the next level. While the couple has largely stayed out of the spotlight, new reports suggest their relationship has reached a significant milestone, with those closest to them believing it has become more serious than ever.  According to an insider, Gerber and Pullman are “so in love,” and their connection has only deepened since they first sparked dating rumors in early 2025. Although they prefer to keep their relationship private, the source said the romance has been genuine from the very beginning, with both stars choosing to focus on building a strong foundation away from constant public attention.  One of the biggest signs of how serious the relationship has become is the warm welcome Pullman has reportedly received from Gerber’s family. The insider revealed that Kaia’s parents, supermodel Cindy Crawford and businessman Rande Gerber, already see the actor as “part of the family.” Their approval reflects how naturally Pullman has fit into Kaia’s personal life and family circle.  Despite both having demanding careers, the pair are said to make their relationship a priority. Friends describe them as grounded and supportive of one another, adding that they enjoy spending quality time with family rather than chasing the Hollywood spotlight. Their low-key approach has helped the romance flourish without unnecessary pressure.  Gerber, the daughter of Cindy Crawford, has continued balancing a successful modeling career with growing acting opportunities. Pullman, meanwhile, has become one of Hollywood’s rising stars thanks to acclaimed performances and several high-profile projects. Even with busy schedules, sources say the couple has found a healthy balance between work and their personal lives.  The couple has also made a handful of public appearances together over the past year, including outings at the Venice Film Festival and the 2026 Vanity Fair Oscars after-party. While they rarely discuss their romance in interviews, their public moments have shown a comfortable and affectionate relationship that continues to grow stronger.  According to those close to the pair, there has never been any rush to define the relationship publicly. Instead, Gerber and Pullman have focused on getting to know each other away from the cameras, allowing their bond to develop naturally. That patient approach is said to be one of the reasons their romance has remained so stable.  While neither Kaia Gerber nor Lewis Pullman has commented publicly on the latest reports, insiders believe their relationship is stronger than ever. With family support, shared values and a commitment to keeping their love life private, the couple appears to have found a balance that is rare in Hollywood—proving that sometimes the strongest romances are the ones lived quietly. 

  • Lumpini Park: Bangkok’s Hidden Oasis for a Peaceful City Escape

    ByJustpaste.in

    Bangkok’s traffic, packed sidewalks, and towering buildings can make the city feel nonstop. Then you step into Lumpini Park, where shaded paths, open lawns, and a calm lake create a welcome break in the center of it all. Much like how Central Park serves as the green heart of New York, this expansive space offers […]

  • |

    Storm disrupts flights at Lahore airport

    ByJustpaste.in

    Severe thunderstorms and heavy rain around Lahore’s Allama Iqbal International Airport disrupted flight operations, causing delays and forcing one incoming flight to divert to Multan. Airport sources said strong winds, rain, and deteriorating weather conditions made takeoffs and landings difficult. Authorities also forecast that visibility could fall to around 1,500 metres, further affecting flight operations. A private airline flight, PA-471, travelling from Jeddah to Lahore, could not land at Allama Iqbal International Airport due to the adverse weather. After circling in the air for some time, the aircraft diverted to Multan Airport and landed there. The passengers remained on board while the aircraft underwent refuelling. Once weather conditions improved, the flight departed Multan and returned safely to Lahore. Meanwhile, several other flights also faced delays. Airport sources reported disruptions involving flights arriving in Lahore from Karachi, Kuwait, Tashkent, Skardu, and Riyadh. The adverse weather conditions have created operational challenges for airlines, with airport authorities and flight crews closely monitoring the situation to ensure safe takeoffs and landings.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *