Bangkok: Deputy National Police Chief "Big Wan" has revealed a major issue involving six gas stations stockpiling fuel following a change in the shipment's final destination, suggesting illegal sales activities. He disclosed that a vessel was illegally selling fuel to Cambodia, with initial findings pointing to the crew members being Thai nationals and operating under the registration name "Chokchonlagorn."

According to Thai News Agency, Pol. Gen. Thatchai Pitanilabutr, Deputy Commissioner General of the Royal Thai Police, addressed the media alongside the Center for Monitoring and Surveillance of the Conflict in the Middle East (CMA). He announced that the Royal Thai Police, amid investigations during the ongoing fuel shortage, have expressed significant concerns. As the Director of the Fuel Crime Suppression Center, he and the Minister of Justice, on the Prime Minister's directive, were tasked with tackling the fuel shortage and examining any hoarding or exploitation of Thai citizens during this critical period. The police were mandated to inspect fuel stations during the crisis, and through random checks, it was discovered that 27 stations and 12 jobbers were supplying fuel to closed stations, with six stations marked as suspicious.

The investigation highlighted a potential hoarding issue caused by a reduced distribution of oil from depots. Notably, certain depots that distributed 18,000,000 liters in February decreased their output to 11,000,000 liters in March. Despite refineries operating at full capacity, shortages were evident at storage facilities, indicating speculative trading activities. Facilities in the north that used to supply 2,000,000 liters daily were down to 1,200,000 liters during the crisis, with inspections in lower northern Thailand revealing significant shortages and potential hoarding.

Further investigations showed that some gas stations ordered fuel but did not deliver it, opting instead to sell it externally for higher profits, particularly to the industrial or agricultural sectors. During the two-week crisis, fuel intended for Lat Krabang was secretly delivered to Nakhon Sawan, with stockpiles found behind gas stations. Additionally, smuggling activities were uncovered in Mae Sot District, Tak Province, with a truck carrying 40,000 liters of fuel being investigated further.

The investigation into a fishing vessel, widely circulated on social media and registered under "Chok Chonlagorn," revealed it belonged to a Thai national, with the crew also believed to be Thai. Authorities are summoning the owner for questioning to determine any connections to oil smuggling activities at sea.