Marine police, in cooperation with Trat Excise Department, raided a suspected fishing boat smuggling 3,800 liters of untaxed fuel valued at over 100,000 baht. The boat owner claimed he purchased the fuel at sea. Authorities detained him and filed charges.
At 09:00 on 17 April 2026, officers from Trat Excise, led by Mr. Phutthaphong Yangyuanyong, a senior general affairs manager, joined marine police from Unit 6, Division 4, Border Patrol Police Bureau (Khlong Yai) to conduct an operation.ArrestThey inspected a boat suspected of illegally possessing fuel without excise tax procedures at a pier in Khlong Yai district, Trat province, following the arrest the previous night.
The operation began after authorities received a tip from an informant about a fishing boat smuggling illegal fuel into Thai waters in Khlong Yai district, Trat. Officials planned a joint operation between the Excise Department and marine police to inspect the targeted area.
Around 01:00, officers found the boat docked at the Po Kasemsiri Pier, Village 5, Khlong Yai subdistrict. They identified themselves and requested to search it. Mr. Surachai, 62, identified himself as the owner and led the inspection. Inside, they found 19 drums, each holding 200 liters of fuel without tax paid, totaling 3,800 liters valued at over 100,000 baht. The suspect could not present tax documents to the officers.
The suspect confessed that all the fuel belonged to him and that he knew it was untaxed. He said he bought it at sea from a larger boat that transferred it to his smaller vessel.A batchHe said he purchased it at 28-30 baht per liter.
Initially, officers charged him with"Possession of goods without paying excise tax."According to the Excise Tax Act of 2017. The suspect and the seized goods were then sent to the Khlong Yai Police Station for investigation, fine assessment, and legal proceedings.
Mr. Surachai faces an excise tax fine of 7.44 baht per liter, plus a penalty five times the tax amount: 3,800 liters × 7.44 baht equals 28,272 baht, plus a fivefold fine totaling 141,360 baht.
The suspect initially agreed to pay the tax and fines, allowing the fuel to be legally used since the tax would be settled. Based on the minimum purchase price he claimed,he boughtthe fuel at 28 baht per liter, costing 106,400 baht. Adding tax and fines of 141,360 baht brings the price to 65.2 baht per liter, which is higher than the pump price.stationIf not caught, the fuel price would be up to 50% lower than the market price.