Police General Thatchai Pitanilabutr, Deputy Commissioner of the Royal Thai Police and Director of the Narcotics and Economic Crime Suppression Center, randomly inspected fuel stations in Nonthaburi to prevent hoarding and price gouging, ordering strict daily inspections across the country to ensure compliance and protect consumers from exploitation.
On 22 March 2026, reporters noted that at 16:30 on 21 March 2026, Police General Thatchai Pitanilabutr, Deputy Commissioner of the Royal Thai Police; Police Lieutenant General Watthana Yijin, Commander of Provincial Police Region 1; Police Major General Sathaporn Eamoht, Deputy Commander assisting Provincial Police Region 1 and Director of Narcotics and Economic Crime Suppression Center Region 1; Police Major General Worachart Saenkham, Commander of the Investigation Division, Provincial Police Region 1 and Deputy Director of Narcotics and Economic Crime Suppression Center Region 1; Police Colonel Witit Jan-iam, Deputy Commander of the Investigation Division, Provincial Police Region 1 and Deputy Assistant Director of Narcotics and Economic Crime Suppression Center Region 1; Police Colonels Wisit Maakson and Jarunroj Sukthai, commanders and team leaders, led the inspection team.
They led forces to randomly inspect the Shell fuel station operated by Mekklao Company Limited, Branch 1, on Tiwanon Road, Ban Mai Subdistrict, Pak Kret District, Nonthaburi Province, to check the distribution of various types of fuel amid fuel shortages insufficient to meet public demand. They examined the quantities of each fuel type sold and investigated whether any fuel hoarding was occurring.
After the inspection, Police General Thatchai stated that this random check aimed to determine if the fuel station was hoarding fuel and to verify if the quality of each fuel type met standards. The inspection found no evidence of hoarding. Initially, only diesel fuel had sold out, with about 1,200 liters remaining in storage tanks to prevent them from drying out. Officials will continue random inspections at various stations to assure the public that fuel shortages are not caused by hoarding.
Meanwhile, sources reported that Police General Thatchai has been assigned by the Royal Thai Police Commissioner to implement measures inspecting fuel stations nationwide that are closed—whether fully or partially—or report fuel shortages, following the Prime Minister's directive for police and local administrators to jointly investigate potential fuel hoarding.
Today, together with local administrators of Pak Kret District, the team randomly inspected fuel stations in the area and found all had proper and complete registration. The inspection revealed diesel fuel was sold out due to increased public demand, while gasoline supplies remained sufficient without impact. Fuel quality tests confirmed the fuel was genuine and free of contaminants.
Police General Thatchai emphasized that he has instructed officers at all levels of the Narcotics and Economic Crime Suppression Centers, in coordination with local authorities, to inspect fuel stations nationwide, especially those that have closed temporarily or fully, to prevent fuel hoarding and price gouging so as to protect the public. They are to conduct inspections and report daily without interruption. Any violations will be prosecuted strictly under the law.
The public is encouraged to report any information on fuel exports, hoarding, or price gouging immediately via the Royal Thai Police hotline 1599, which operates 24 hours a day.