Irregularities have been found in the disappearance of 57 million litres of fuel during transport to six oil depots in the southern province of Surat Thani, according to Justice Minister Rutthaphon Naowarat.
A investigation into suspected fuel stockpiling has been launched with a two-pronged approach, he said on Friday at a briefing on the energy crisis, where Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul also declared an urgent crackdown on fuel hoarders.
The first part of the investigation involves end-point inspections at petrol stations, Pol Lt Gen Rutthaphon. Police and officials from the Department of Provincial Administration are tracing irregularities back to oil depots.
The second part involves the Department of Special Investigation (DSI), which will examine the supply chain from refineries through to retail outlets, the minister said.
Previous inspections uncovered violations and led to arrests in Ang Thong, Tak and Nakhon Sawan provinces, including offences related to illegal stockpiling under Sections 7 and 10 of the fuel trade law, he said.
In Surat Thani, he said investigations found that oil tankers made 96 trips transporting fuel from depots to six facilities in the southern province, carrying a total of 217 million litres. However, only 160 million litres reached their destinations, leaving 57 million litres unaccounted for during transit.
To put that in perspective, average daily consumption of diesel in Thailand is about 65 million litres. Consumption of diesel, gasoline and gasohol combined is about 100 million litres a day.
Pol Lt Gen Rutthaphon said the case would be handled under a single standard, with a focus on maritime transport. Authorities have obtained all relevant documentation and will examine both inventory levels and unusually prolonged transport times.
The DSI has accepted the alleged fuel disappearances as a special case and will summon those involved for questioning and proceed with legal action, said Pol Lt Gen Rutthaphon. (Story continues below)
Justice Minister Pol Lt Gen Rutthaphon Naowarat said checks of six oil depots in Surat Thani found 57 million litres of fuel that could not be accounted for. (Photo: Ministry of Justice)
War room
A war room will be established at the DSI to monitor fuel volumes across the entire system, with continuous reporting from agencies such as the Customs Department on crude oil imports and related figures, he added.
At refineries, he said inspections of documentation and in-tank volumes had confirmed they were not involved in any stockpiling. Any remaining oil was described as residual stock that could not be commercially extracted.
DSI director-general Yutthana Praedam said several forms of wrongdoing are suspected, including possible smuggling, but some time may be required to substantiate this suspicion.
The clearest offence at this time is stockpiling, as the law prohibits operators from refusing sales or deliberately delaying or stalling transport, he said at the media briefing.
“We will pursue this case to the fullest extent,” said Pol Maj Yutthana.
