Thailand Enters a New Phase of Sustainable Aviation Fuel Adoption
Thailand is formally entering a new phase in the development of sustainable aviation. The Ministry of Energy has confirmed that it is ready to introduce new standards for Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF), including initial blending requirements for jet fuel. The new regulations are scheduled to take effect on January 1, 2026, marking an important policy milestone for the country’s aviation decarbonization efforts.
Under the new framework, Jet A-1 fuel specifications at both production and distribution points will be divided into three categories: (1) conventional Jet A-1, (2) Jet A-1 produced via co-hydrogenation processing, and (3) conventional Jet A-1 blended with neat SAF. In parallel, the authorities have established dedicated specifications for SAF itself, requiring that feedstocks and production pathways comply with the international ASTM D7566 standard. At this stage, commercial SAF production in Thailand is limited to the Hydroprocessed Esters and Fatty Acids (HEFA) pathway.
Sarawut Kaewtathip, Director-General of the Department of Energy Business, said the regulations are designed to ensure that Thai SAF producers meet international benchmarks, in line with the government’s policy to promote sustainable and low-carbon aviation fuels. He added that the initiative supports Thailand’s long-term goals of achieving carbon neutrality and net-zero emissions.
The policy is also aligned with measures promoted by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), which views SAF as a key mechanism for enabling the global aviation sector to reach net-zero emissions. In Europe, similarly stringent measures are already in place, with the European Union requiring a 2% SAF blending mandate from 2025 for flights departing EU airports.
Several SAF projects are already underway in Thailand. Bangchak Corporation is constructing a HEFA-based SAF plant that will primarily use used cooking oil as feedstock. The facility is designed with a capacity of 1 million liters per day (approximately 6,289 barrels) and is expected to begin commercial operations in the second quarter of 2026. Meanwhile, PTT Global Chemical has already launched commercial SAF production using a HEFA co-processing approach, with an initial capacity of 16,438 liters per day.
Sarawut noted that these regulations mark Thailand’s initial stage of SAF adoption, which will rely heavily on HEFA technology, as alcohol-to-jet (AtJ) pathways based on ethanol remain under development and have yet to achieve full commercial maturity.