Thailand Bitumen Production
Last updated: 2026-10-06
Thailand produces approximately 7.5–8.5 million tonnes of bitumen and asphalt-related products annually, with the majority derived from imported crude oil processed at refineries operated by PTT Public Company Limited and Thai Oil. Domestic consumption of paving-grade bitumen alone sits at roughly 2.2–2.6 million tonnes per year, making Thailand one of Southeast Asia's top three bitumen markets alongside Indonesia and Vietnam.
Thailand Bitumen Production: Capacity, Refineries, and Output
Thailand's bitumen sector is not a crude-oil-rich upstream story — the country imports over 90% of its crude feedstock, mostly from the Middle East (Saudi Arabia, UAE, Kuwait). Bitumen is produced as a refinery by-product, primarily through vacuum distillation and solvent de-asphalting of heavy crude fractions.
Key production infrastructure:
| Refinery / Producer | Location | Bitumen-Related Capacity | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| PTT Global Chemical (PTTGC) | Map Ta Phut, Rayong | ~1.2–1.5 Mtpa asphalt capacity | Largest integrated player |
| Thai Oil (TOP) | Sriracha, Chonburi | ~0.8–1.0 Mtpa | Major lube & bitumen base |
| IRPC | Rayong | ~0.5–0.7 Mtpa | Integrated petrochemical |
| Bangchak Corporation | Bangkok | ~0.3–0.4 Mtpa | Growing asphalt output |
| Imported bitumen (bulk/drum) | Laem Chabang, Songkhla | ~1.0–1.5 Mtpa | From Singapore, Korea, Middle East |
Production snapshot (estimated annual):
- Total bitumen supply (domestic + import): 3.0–3.5 million tonnes
- Domestic refinery output: 1.8–2.2 million tonnes
- Import volume: 1.0–1.3 million tonnes
- Export surplus (occasional): 0.1–0.3 million tonnes
- Penetration grades: 60/70 and 80/100 dominate (75%+ of volume)
- Polymer-modified bitumen (PMB): 80,000–120,000 tonnes/year and rising
Thailand's refineries were historically configured for fuel oil and diesel, but since 2015–2020, upgrades at PTTGC and Thai Oil have increased vacuum distillation bottoms conversion into paving-grade bitumen (PG 64-22 equivalent, penetration 60/70).
Production Trends and Market Drivers (2020–2025)
The Thai bitumen market has moved through three distinct phases in the last five years:
2020–2021 (COVID contraction): Consumption fell ~18% to 1.9 Mt as road projects stalled.
2022–2023 (recovery + cost shock): Volumes rebounded to 2.3–2.5 Mt, but prices spiked. Bulk bitumen (60/70, CIF Thailand) rose from $380/tonne (early 2021) to $560–620/tonne (mid-2022) due to crude volatility and Singapore supply tightness.
2024–2025 (stabilization): Prices settled in the $470–540/tonne range for bulk CIF, with domestic ex-refinery pricing at THB 18,500–21,500 per tonne (roughly $520–600).
Key demand drivers:
- Department of Highways (DOH) annual budget: THB 90–110 billion for road maintenance and new construction
- Motorway expansion projects: Bangkok–Nakhon Ratchasima, Bang Pa-in–Nakhon Sawan (combined ~500 km of new asphalt paving)
- Rural road programs: Tambon administrative organization (TAO) spending of THB 25–30 billion/year
- Tourism infrastructure recovery: Phuket, Chiang Mai, Pattaya resurfacing cycles
- EEC (Eastern Economic Corridor) industrial roads: 200+ km in Chonburi, Rayong, Chachoengsao
Import dependency risk: Thailand remains structurally short of heavy crude, so any disruption in Singapore or Middle East supply chains pushes domestic prices up within 7–14 days.
Thailand vs Regional Bitumen Producers: Comparison
How does Thailand stack up against neighbors?
| Country | Annual Bitumen Production (Mt) | Annual Consumption (Mt) | Net Position | Key Refiners |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Thailand | 1.8–2.2 | 2.2–2.6 | Slight importer | PTTGC, Thai Oil, IRPC |
| Indonesia | 1.5–1.8 | 3.0–3.5 | Major importer | Pertamina |
| Malaysia | 1.2–1.5 | 1.0–1.3 | Exporter | Petronas (Melaka) |
| Vietnam | 0.3–0.5 | 1.8–2.2 | Major importer | Nghi Son, Dung Quat |
| Singapore | 2.0–2.5 (blending hub) | 0.2–0.3 | Major exporter | Shell, ExxonMobil |
| South Korea | 3.0–3.5 | 1.0–1.2 | Major exporter | SK Energy, GS Caltex |
Takeaways:
- Thailand is self-sufficient in refining capability but dependent on imported crude.
- Singapore is the region's pricing benchmark — Thai buyers reference Singapore CIF quotes plus freight.
- Malaysia exports surplus bitumen to Thailand during peak road-building season (Feb–May).
- Vietnam's deficit creates occasional re-export opportunities for Thai traders.
Price comparison (bulk 60/70, CIF, Q4 2025 estimates):
| Origin | Price Range (USD/tonne) | Lead Time to Bangkok |
|---|---|---|
| Singapore | 490–530 | 5–7 days |
| South Korea | 480–520 | 10–14 days |
| Middle East (Bahrain, Iran-origin) | 430–480 | 18–25 days |
| Thai domestic (ex-refinery) | 520–600 | 1–3 days |
| PMB (polymer-modified) | 650–780 | 7–14 days |
Bitumen Grades and Specifications in Thailand
Thailand follows ASTM and AASHTO standards, with TIS (Thai Industrial Standards) alignment for public procurement.
Common grades:
- Penetration 60/70: The workhorse grade for highways and major roads (75% of DOH tenders)
- Penetration 80/100: Used in lower-traffic rural roads and cooler northern provinces
- Penetration 40/50: Heavy-duty applications, container yards, airport aprons
- PG 64-22: Superpave equivalent, increasingly specified in EEC projects
- CSS-1, SS-1: Cationic slow-setting emulsions for tack coats (30,000–50,000 tonnes/year)
- CRS-2: Cationic rapid-setting for chip seals
- PMB (PG 76-22, PG 82-22): High-traffic intersections, toll plazas, bus lanes
Specification authority: The Department of Highways (DOH) and Department of Rural Roads (DRR) publish annual material specs (DH-S 401/2549 and successors). Thai Industrial Standard TIS 863-2546 governs penetration-grade bitumen.
Quality concerns:
- Imported bitumen sometimes fails TFOT (Thin Film Oven Test) for aging resistance
- Asphaltene content in Middle East-origin bitumen is higher (12–18%) vs Singapore blends (8–12%)
- Ductility at 25°C must exceed 100 cm for 60/70 grade
Testing capacity: Thailand has ~15 accredited labs (including PTT R&D, Thai Oil's lab, and private firms like SGS and Intertek) performing penetration, softening point, viscosity, and PG grading tests.
Logistics, Pricing, and Trade Flows
Import infrastructure:
- Laem Chabang Port: Primary bitumen import hub (~70% of volume), with heated tank farms nearby
- Map Ta Phut Port: Serves PTTGC and IRPC directly
- Songkhla Port: Southern region distribution
- Bangkok Port (Klong Toey): Small-volume drum imports
Storage capacity: Estimated 350,000–450,000 tonnes of heated bulk storage nationwide, with PTT and Thai Oil controlling ~60%.
Transport modes:
- Bulk tankers (heated): 20–30 tonne trucks, primary mode
- ISO tanks: 20-foot containers, 20–24 tonnes each, common for imports
- Drums (181 kg): Rural distribution, declining share
- Bitutainers / jumbo bags: Niche, hot-mix plant deliveries
Pricing mechanism:
- Singapore CIF benchmark + freight + import duty (0% under AFTA for ASEAN origin, 1–3% for non-ASEAN)
- Domestic ex-refinery prices published weekly by PTT and Thai Oil
- VAT 7% applies to all sales
- Excise tax: Not applicable to bitumen (unlike fuel)
Seasonal patterns:
- Peak season: February–May (dry season, DOH disbursement cycles)
- Monsoon slowdown: July–October (40–50% volume drop)
- Import surge: January–March (pre-season stockpiling)
Freight costs (approximate):
| Route | Vessel Size | Freight (USD/tonne) |
|---|---|---|
| Singapore → Laem Chabang | 5,000–10,000 DWT | 25–40 |
| Korea → Laem Chabang | 10,000–20,000 DWT | 35–55 |
| Bahrain → Laem Chabang | 20,000–30,000 DWT | 45–70 |
| Domestic refinery → Bangkok | Truck | 8–15 |
FAQ: Thailand Bitumen Production
Q1: How much bitumen does Thailand produce annually?
Thailand produces approximately 1.8–2.2 million tonnes of bitumen and asphalt products per year from domestic refineries, primarily PTTGC, Thai Oil, IRPC, and Bangchak. Total supply including imports reaches 3.0–3.5 million tonnes to meet annual consumption of 2.2–2.6 million tonnes.
Q2: Which companies are the largest bitumen producers in Thailand?
PTT Global Chemical (PTTGC) and Thai Oil dominate, together accounting for roughly 60–65% of domestic output. IRPC and Bangchak follow with smaller but growing shares. PTT also controls significant import and distribution infrastructure through its subsidiaries.
Q3: Does Thailand import or export bitumen?
Thailand is a net importer, bringing in 1.0–1.3 million tonnes annually, mainly from Singapore, South Korea, and the Middle East. Occasional small exports (0.1–0.3 Mt) occur when domestic supply exceeds demand or when Thai traders re-export to Vietnam and Cambodia.
Q4: What is the current price of bitumen in Thailand?
As of late 2025, bulk penetration 60/70 bitumen trades at approximately THB 18,500–21,500 per tonne (USD 520–600) ex-refinery, and USD 490–530 per tonne CIF for imported Singapore-origin material. Polymer-modified bitumen (PMB) commands a premium of USD 130–200 per tonne.
Q5: What grades of bitumen are most used in Thailand?
Penetration 60/70 is the dominant grade, accounting for about 75% of consumption, followed by 80/100 for rural roads. Polymer-modified bitumen (PG 76-22 and similar) is the fastest-growing segment, driven by EEC infrastructure and high-traffic urban projects.
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