However, lights on large billboards will still have to shut off after 10pm, the Energy Minister said yesterday.

Piyasavasti Amara-nand said he would propose the lifting of the energy-saving measure that petrol stations have to close after 10pm as it had not reduced oil consumption. Other measures that did help included oil prices and speed limitation on the roads, he said.

The new regulation should take effect by December 1 as people will start to travel on national holidays from December 2 to 5, December 9 to 11 and the New Year period, he said.

Owners could choose whether to close the gas stations after 10pm, he said. Billboards with over 33 square metres of space will still have to turn the lights off.

"The measure hasn't been cancelled. Our billboards are monstrous. If the lights are turned off, Thailand will be more beautiful," he said.

Statistics show that after the government allowed petrol prices to increase around the end of 2004 until 2006, consumption went down by 8 per cent.

Consumption before the diesel price was floated increased by 10 per cent per year. After the government floated the price, consumption dropped by 9 per cent in the past year and is still falling.

As a result, oil consumption has nothing to do with closing of petrol stations after 10pm, he said, adding that night-time travellers and petrol station workers will also benefit from lifting the measure.