Natural gas for vehicles (NGV) stations in the South will be closed for 10 days during a maintenance shutdown of the Malaysia-Thailand Joint Development Area (JDA) in the coming months, says the Energy Ministry.
Energy permanent secretary Suthep Liumsirijarern said NGV stations in southern provinces will not operate for 10 days during the disruption of the natural gas supply from the JDA's A18 block from June 13-July 10.
"PTT has informed us it will result in a 10-day shutdown of NGV stations in the South. Consequently, we have asked them to develop a plan to minimise effects on motorists," he said.
The South has 19 of the country's total of 476 NGV stations, according to PTT.
During the JDA's gas disruption, the Energy Regulatory Commission has targeted to reduce power usage by 300 megawatts during peak hours by asking business operators to adjust working hours.
Industrial and tourism operators will play major roles in the electricity-reduction plan.
In addition, the energy regulator is coordinating with the Federation of Thai Industries to campaign from next month onwards on cutting electricity usage during peak hours from 6.30-10.30pm in southern provinces such as Phuket and Songkhla.
In the worst case that the reduction of power usage by 300 MW is not achieved, Mr Suthep said energy authorities would need to turn off the power supply in some areas to avoid a greater effect on the economy.
"We are working on a plan to cope with any unexpected situation during the JDA disruption that might cause a shortage of gas," said Mr Suthep.
Energy policymakers are also preparing for major blackouts caused by the disruption.