Thailand
Thailand
Emission policies and clean fuel go hand in hand.
The change
Moving from Euro 3 to Euro 5 standards
The result
Cut vehicle emissions by more than half.
Presentation of Dr Supat Wangwongwatana
Read the case study
Fuel policies need to reflect each country’s priorities, resources, vehicle fleet and fuel supply.
25+
Years in the region
For more than 25 years, ACFA has worked with policymakers, researchers, industry and international organisations to bring technical evidence and practical experience into fuel policy discussions across Asia and beyond.
Explore examples of our research, technical engagement and collaboration across different markets.
Pathway explorer
How a country sources its gasoline can influence the fuel options available for it. Import dependency, domestic oxygenate supply and existing infrastructure are important considerations when assessing what can work in practice.
Answer these questions to explore which considerations may be most relevant for different markets.
Question 1
High import dependency
Imported finished gasoline may already be pre-blended with MTBE.
Changing fuel requirements can reduce the available pool of supply and increase costs.
Relevant markets: Malaysia, Indonesia, Vietnam, Cambodia
Low import dependency
Consider whether domestic oxygenate substitutes are available, such as domestically produced bioethanol.
Examples: Thailand, Philippines, India
Question 2
Question 3
Key outcome · All three paths lead here
Where import dependency is high, domestic oxygenate supply is insufficient, or new infrastructure and capital are constrained, fuel options that can work with existing supply and distribution systems may offer a more practical pathway.
Explore how countries are approaching these choices →The change
Moving from Euro 3 to Euro 5 standards
The result
Cut vehicle emissions by more than half.
Presentation of Dr Supat Wangwongwatana
Read the case studyThe change
Ten gasoline formulations modelled for vehicle fleets in Jakarta and Surabaya.
The result
Ether-based fuels cut PM2.5 by up to 41% compared with Pertalite R90.
Impact of Oxygenated Gasoline on Indonesian Vehicle Emissions, MOVES-Indonesia Study (ERG and ITB), 2025
Read the case studyThe change
China’s fuel standards have evolved over more than two decades, with ongoing technical dialogue on gasoline components.
The result
A three-year assessment, completed in 2024, found no unreasonable environmental risk from MTBE in surface water under the conditions studied.
Three-year MTBE environmental risk assessment with Chinese partners, completed 2024
Read the case studyThe change
India is moving rapidly towards higher ethanol blending under its E20 programme.
The result
Fuel quality, vehicle compatibility and supply-chain challenges considered alongside the blending target.
The change
Direct ethanol blending compared with converting ethanol into ETBE before blending.
The result
Japan began using ETBE in its biofuel programme in 2009.
The change
The transition towards cleaner fuel and vehicle standards.
The result
Technical discussions supported the transition towards cleaner fuel and vehicle standards, including a regional Clean Fuels Roadmap.
The change
Thailand’s gasoline market has evolved alongside changes in fuel specifications and the use of different blending components.
The result
Technical exchanges addressed the role of MTBE and fuel oxygenates within the overall gasoline specification.
Together, these examples show how different approaches have supported cleaner transport while reflecting each country’s priorities and circumstances.