The DSI spokesperson revealed that two oil transport companies involved in the missing oil case in Surat Thani provided explanations for why there were delays and why they could not deliver oil to the storage companies as scheduled. The DSI is fully listening but must verify the facts. Meanwhile, three other oil transport companies are scheduled to provide information on 23 April.
On 22 April 2026, Police Lieutenant Colonel Waranan Srilam, Director of the Consumer Protection Case Division and spokesperson for the Department of Special Investigation (DSI), spoke about the results of interrogating authorized signatories of two oil transport companies as witnesses. On 21 April, the DSI special case investigators questioned the directors of both companies, who cooperated fully.
The company directors presented documents related to their oil transport business to the investigators and explained why their vessels could not deliver oil to the storage companies in Surat Thani as scheduled. The consistent fact is that the ships took longer than usual to sail in the sea waters.
Details on whether the delay was due to mechanical issues requiring the ship to stop or because of full queues waiting to deliver oil to the storage companies must be withheld to support ongoing investigations. Nevertheless, the testimonies given by both companies as witnesses have been fully considered by the investigators, who will compare these details with other evidence and consult relevant agencies to verify the facts.
On 23 April, three more oil transport companies will meet with the DSI special case investigators to provide their testimonies as scheduled.
A key focus is on business operation details to verify whether the business information provided aligns with the facts.
The investigators are equally focused on the shipping operations, seeking to determine causes and motives behind the abnormal shipping delays. This information will serve as crucial data to expand the investigation and reach legal conclusions. The DSI emphasizes examining the shipping routes primarily.
Regarding investigations beyond the shipping routes, the DSI is working integratively with partner agencies such as the Royal Thai Police, the Office of National Maritime Security Center (NSC), and other relevant organizations. Throughout the process, they have continuously exchanged useful information to enhance investigative efficiency and expedite the prosecution of offenders under the law.
Concerning the case of transferring the petroleum sales investigation in Ang Thong province, police from the Consumer Protection Division had inspected and found overpriced and substandard or adulterated fuel, leading to the seizure of two oil containers. On 17 April, DSI officers from the Consumer Protection Case Division and Special Case Operations Center Region 1 joined forces with police from Ang Thong Provincial Police, the Department of Energy Business, provincial energy and commerce officials to inspect, gather data, and randomly sample two more oil containers. These samples aim to expand the investigation to individuals involved in or supporting the offenses. If these additional samples confirm further fuel adulteration, the DSI will prosecute those responsible and discuss formally taking over the case from the Consumer Protection Division as a special case.
Regarding this matter, Police Lieutenant Colonel Yuttana Praedam, Director-General of the DSI, said it no longer needs to be presented to the Special Case Committee for approval because if the case facts meet the committee's criteria, the DSI Director-General can immediately approve it as a special case.
Currently, I have established a screening committee to review the case details. Initially, it meets the criteria for acceptance as a special case. The committee is preparing to officially submit the case for my signature as a procedural step. Meanwhile, investigators have already collected field data to prepare the case, which will be handled as a separate special case. The decision to accept the Ang Thong case as a special case will be clarified soon.