The Commander of Immigration Division 4 visited the Chong Mek checkpoint in Ubon Ratchathani Province to block a flood of oil tanker trucks exiting the border following orders from the Second Army Region Commander. He revealed suspicious activity with an abnormal increase of over 100 oil transport trucks, believed to be routed through Laos and forwarded to Cambodia for military operations. The checkpoint chief has now ordered these vehicles to be held and denied border crossing into neighboring countries.
The Second Army Region Operations Center issued an order to control the export of all types of fuel, including military equipment and related items, at the permanent Chong Mek border crossing in Chong Mek Subdistrict, Sirindhorn District, Ubon Ratchathani Province. The order suspends all exports of fuel and military equipment, effective from 24:00 on 14 Dec 2025 GMT+7 onward.
On 15 Dec 2025 GMT+7, reporters observed the atmosphere at the Chong Mek checkpoint, Sirindhorn District, Ubon Ratchathani Province. Pol. Maj. Gen. Phairat Pukcharoen, Commander of Immigration Division 4, together with Mr. Arch Phodduang, Chong Mek Customs Chief, and the Internal Security Operations Command, jointly monitored and inspected oil tanker trucks waiting to cross the border to deliver fuel to a depot in Laos. On the morning of 15 Dec, about 100 twenty-two-wheel oil tankers had been waiting since the previous night but were denied border crossing by customs under the Second Army Region’s order. This suspension aims to prevent fuel from being used as military supplies for Cambodian forces. Drivers are currently waiting for company instructions regarding where to store or deliver the oil.
Pol. Maj. Gen. Phairat stated that immigration officers noticed irregularities in fuel export permit requests at Chong Mek. The volume of export requests was abnormally high, prompting submission of this information to the Second Army Region Commander and the Immigration Police Commander for investigation.
He added that the Chong Mek checkpoint connects to the Nong Nok Khian border crossing opposite Stung Treng in Cambodia. Both Cambodian and Lao checkpoints remain open normally. This raises the possibility that the fuel might be sold or transferred into Cambodia for unknown uses, potentially military. Given the unusual volume, authorities must consider whether this fuel supports military operations, which could complicate military activities.
Regarding how long vehicles will be held or inspected, he said security agencies must assess fuel usage volume while prioritizing national security.
Concerning the abnormal volume detected, comparing November figures shows about 281 export permits for the entire month. However, in early December, following fighting from the 7th onward, 180 permits were requested within just five days. This is a significant abnormal increase, especially since over 100 trucks were held yesterday for today’s scheduled crossing. Therefore, safety measures require suspending fuel exports temporarily.
Mr. Arch Phodduang, Chong Mek Customs Chief, stated that under the Second Army Region’s order, Chong Mek Customs has ceased all fuel exports. In November this year, fuel exports from Thailand to Laos exceeded 500 million baht, compared with about 476 million baht in November 2024. December 2024 exports were approximately 583 million baht. Up to 13 December this year, exports reached over 236 million baht.
Mr. Natthapong Khemkhaeng, an oil tanker driver, said he has been waiting since last night to cross the border to deliver fuel to a PTT customer in Laos. After the border crossing ban to neighboring countries, he must await company instructions on whether to return or relocate the fuel. Currently, he is just waiting for company orders. Usually, 10–20 oil tanker trucks cross daily into Laos.