PTT recently launched its first self-service petrol station in the Phaholyothin area, and will soon open a second in Lat Phrao. Fuel at these stations is Bt0.30 per litre cheaper than at normal service stations.

Somchart Sermvongtrakul, sales supervisor representative of PTT, said yesterday the company was waiting for the Energy Business Department's decision on how many self-service stations it can operate.

Although self-service stations will increase capital costs for the company, more profit will be gained in the long run through saved labour costs and the prevention of cheating at fuel pumps, he said.

The average cost for a normal pump is Bt300,000 to Bt400,000, while the cost of a self-service pump is Bt500,000. PTT is also considering opening self-service outlets because of a labour shortage.

PTT is the second oil firm to open self-service stations, following Bangchak Petroleum, which has about 30 in Bangkok and nearby provinces. Prices at these outlets are Bt0.20 cheaper than normal.

PTT has about 1,150 petrol stations. Fifty are operated by company and the remainder are operated by dealer firms.

Meanwhile, the Commerce Ministry and leading petrol-station operators will soon launch a campaign to increase consumer awareness of being cheated by dishonest employees, according to Songklod Ubolsing, deputy director-general of the Internal Trade Department.

The government will urge private petrol companies to launch a campaign with billboards at petrol stations to warn consumers to check the price against the volume purchased, he said.

The department met with petrol-station operators yesterday in response to consumers' complaints about employees overcharging them after filling their tanks.

The leading operators have agreed to closely monitor employees' activities and will provide a call-centre service for complaints from consumers.

The ministry will also send an inspection team to work with petrol stations to uncover and punish dishonest employees. Under Article 270 of the Criminal Code, dishonest employees face a maximum three years in prison and a fine of Bt6,000.

Petchanet Pratruangkrai

The Nation