Authorities have launched parallel investigations into allegations of fuel smuggling and irregular fuel distribution volumes, as Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul vowed legal action against anyone involved, describing them as a threat to national security.
The Royal Thai Navy said on Thursday it is verifying reports that fuel was illegally smuggled out of Thailand for sale overseas, particularly to Cambodia.
Mr Anutin, who also serves as interior minister, said intelligence agencies had detected an organised network hoarding fuel, inflating prices and diverting supplies for illicit export.
Task forces have been set up to track suspects, with police, the military and the Anti‑Money Laundering Office (Amlo) working jointly to pursue arrests and legal proceedings, he said.
The Prime Minister acknowledged such activities exist but said the number of people involved remains limited.
He described smuggling fuel to Cambodia as “despicable” and said it could amount to betraying Thailand.
Mr Anutin said authorities must first reconcile figures from multiple agencies before confirming the scale of any smuggling, stressing that decisions must be based on verified data to avoid any errors.
Public attention intensified after the Facebook page Song Khmer posted video footage allegedly showing diesel fuel being sold at sea to Cambodian vessels at unusually low prices.
The video was originally posted by TikTok account '@ounchen829' on Tuesday, the Facebook page said, before being removed.
The clip, recorded in the Cambodian language, claimed a maritime trader had already sold 6,000 litres of fuel.
Another vessel was seen moored alongside the boat that was supplying the diesel.
When the camera later panned across the scene, the vessel was observed flying a Thai national flag at its bow, fuelling speculation that Thai fuel was being transferred to foreign boats.
The footage sparked widespread discussion online and prompted calls for authorities to launch a formal investigation into possible fuel smuggling.
Navy spokesman RAdm Parach Rattanachaiphan said relevant units had been tasked with examining the clip and verifying the circumstances surrounding the alleged transaction.
He added that the navy would strictly enforce the law if any illegal exports or smuggling activities were confirmed.
He also urged the public to exercise caution when sharing unverified information online, warning that incomplete or misleading content could cause unnecessary confusion while the investigation was under way.
Separately, the Department of Special Investigation (DSI) is preparing to inspect a major fuel depot in Surat Thani after detecting irregular sales patterns.
Officials said gasoline sales fell sharply in March, while diesel sales surged to about 10 million litres, more than double the previous month.
If wrongdoing is established, the case could be pursued as a special investigation, with potential criminal and money‑laundering charges.
