Car blazes spur tighter LPG rules
Importers of LPG equipment for vehicles will have to abide by stricter regulations because of a series of explosions and fires in vehicles modified to run on liquefied petroleum gas, an alternate fuel to petrol.
Thai Industrial Standards Institute (TISI) secretary-general Phairoj Sanyadechakul said yesterday that some people were installing a doughnut-shaped LPG device in their cars to save trunk space. He warned that only capsule-shaped LPG cylinders were allowed. Motorists are increasingly installing LPG equipment in their vehicles due to high fuel prices, and many prefer to install the doughnut-shaped device in the spare tyre compartment in order to save space. Almost all taxis in Bangkok use capsule-shaped LPG cylinders, and there have been few incidents of explosions or fires in taxis. TISI regulations bar the import of LPG cylinders without permission. Phairoj said only vehicle with the capsule-shaped cylinders can be registered with the Department of Land Transport. Installers of LPG devices, who refuse to enhance safety features of cylinders they import without permission, or fail to destroy them when ordered by TISI officials, face a penalty of up to three months in prison and/or a fine up to Bt20,000. And people who prevent TISI officials from inspecting LPG cylinders on their premises face the same penalties. Members of the public are welcome to notify the TISI of any violations on 02-202-3482.
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