Bangkok: The Excise Department is implementing rigorous measures to oversee oil transportation routes nationwide in a bid to curb smuggling and hoarding activities as tensions escalate in the Middle East.

According to Thai News Agency, Mr. Pornchai Theeravech, the Director-General of the Excise Department, has directed affiliated agencies across the nation to strengthen their control, supervision, and inspection of fuel oil. This initiative follows the Prime Minister's directive aimed at safeguarding the country's energy stability from illegal activities. The measures involve comprehensive inspections from the oil's origin to its destination, covering facilities such as oil depots, refineries, transportation services, and gas stations. The department's primary focus is on monitoring oil movement and fuel quality to mitigate illegal practices and prevent unauthorized removal of oil from the system.

The Excise Department is collaborating with the Royal Thai Police and the Department of Energy Business to conduct ongoing joint inspections. Additionally, maritime surveillance efforts have been heightened through coordination with the Royal Thai Navy and the Maritime Security Command to obstruct oil smuggling attempts along coastal and sea routes, identified as high-risk areas. To ensure the quality of oil, the department has deployed mobile testing units, known as Mobile Labs, for random quality checks at sales points and monitored locations, facilitating swift verification and enhancing law enforcement efficacy.

The Director-General emphasized the department's commitment to closely observing the situation, with proactive measures in place to prevent and suppress illegal activities at their source. These efforts aim to maintain the nation's energy stability and shield the public from exploitation during the current volatile energy climate.