Government house: The Prime Minister engaged in tense discussions with several agencies following reports of illegal fuel stockpiling. Prime Minister and Minister of Interior Anutin Charnvirakul arrived at Government House using the BTS Skytrain, without a specific agenda for the morning. He invited Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance Ekniti Nitithanprapas, along with Minister attached to the Prime Minister's Office Paradorn Prisnanantakul, for a meeting at Khu Fah Building to discuss energy-related information. The discussions are expected to proceed on a government agency-by-agency basis.
According to Thai News Agency, at 10:30 AM, Pol. Gen. Ruttapol Naowarat, Minister of Justice, led a delegation from three agencies, including the DSI, headed by Pol. Col. Yutthana Praedam, Director-General of the DSI; Pol. Gen. Thatchai Pitanilabutr, Deputy Commissioner-General of the Royal Thai Police; and Admiral Thadawut Thadpitakakul, Chief of Staff of the Royal Thai Navy, along with representatives from the Marine Department. Pol. Lt. Gen. Ruttapol reported on the oil situation but did not disclose details about the DSI's raid on an oil trading company suspected of stockpiling in Surat Thani province. He mentioned that details would first be reported to the Prime Minister, who would later address the media.
Police Lieutenant Colonel Yutthana briefly mentioned discovering several irregularities, with discussions focusing on concerns over the increased refining margin of up to 14 baht per liter. Admiral Thadawut stated that shipping routes are being investigated following questions about a possible ban on oil tankers. He confirmed that a ban on smuggling oil to Cambodia had been implemented, following government policy from the previous week.
Admiral Thadawut further noted that while recent incidents of oil smuggling had been reported, all arrests require verification as standard procedure. He assured that any vessel found violating the law would face prosecution. Police Lieutenant Colonel Yutthana confirmed that he would be briefing the Prime Minister on arrests related to oil smuggling to neighboring countries.
In a related development, Mr. Veerapat Kiattifuengfu, Deputy Permanent Secretary and Spokesperson of the Ministry of Energy, chaired a meeting of the Center for Monitoring and Managing the Conflict in the Middle East (CMC). Ms. Nattha Mahatthana, CMC spokesperson, announced that Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul would participate in a press conference, divided into two parts. The first part will cover the meeting's resolutions and progress, while the second part will feature the Prime Minister and six others, whose identities are yet to be revealed. Updates are expected at 11:30 AM.