Thailand's jet fuel exports rose to a one-year high in July, even as its output slumped to a four-month low as refiners produced more diesel instead.
Exports of 10,200 b/d in July were more than double those in June and were the highest since 15,500 b/d a year earlier, GTT customs data show.
Jet-kerosine production in Thailand had slid to a four-month low of 61,500 b/d in July, down by about 7pc from 66,500 b/d in June, according to data from the country's energy ministry. Thai refiners also increased their gasoil yields again in July, producing about 7½ times more gasoil than jet fuel that month, up from 6.9 the previous month.
The surge in exports despite a slump in production is likely a by-product of the country's lagging travel demand. A Covid-19 outbreak in August had forced authorities to expand restrictions. Total passenger throughput at Thailand's airports for the month fell to 367,700 for the month, the lowest since May 2020, according to Airports of Thailand data.
The demand disruptions also resulted in rare jet fuel offers from Thai refiners, including one from Thai Oil in August.
But Thai authorities plan to reopen parts of its borders in a bid to revive the country's tourism sector. The tourist hot spot of Phuket reopened in July to vaccinated travellers, on the condition that they travel directly to and only remain in Phuket. There are also plans to reopen five more popular destinations to vaccinated tourists from October — Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Chon Buri, Phetchaburi and Prachuap Khiri Khan, according to the country's tourism authorities.
Thailand eased its Covid-19 restrictions from 1 September, with interprovincial travel allowed to resume even though half of the population is fully vaccinated.
