The Ministry of Justice, together with the Ministry of Defense and several agencies, inspected 11 major oil depots in southern Thailand, finding that more oil was entering than leaving. They warned that if violations are found, cases will be transferred to the Department of Special Investigation (DSI) for strict prosecution on charges including organized crime and money laundering.
On 1 Apr 2026 GMT+7, Police Lieutenant General Rutthaphon Naowarat, Minister of Justice, along with Lieutenant General Adun Boonthamcharoen, Deputy Minister of Defense, and Police General Thatchai Pitanilabutr, Deputy Commissioner-General of the Royal Thai Police and Director of the Fuel Crime Suppression Center, jointly inspected oil depots in Surat Thani Province. They checked traders under Sections 7 and 10 of the Fuel Trade Act B.E. 2543 (2000), covering six major depots responsible for oil transportation in upper southern Thailand. This action followed Prime Ministerial Order No. 3/2569 dated 20 March 2026, aimed at resolving and preventing fuel shortages.
The operation was coordinated with related agencies, including Mr. Kritphet Chaichuay, Director-General of the Marine Department; Admiral Thadawut Tadpitakkul, Secretary-General of the Marine National Interest Protection Center; Mr. Chatchai Kunlohit, Deputy Director-General of the Department of Energy Business; Mr. Ronarong Tipsiri, Deputy Director-General of the Department of Provincial Administration; and executives from the Department of Special Investigation (DSI), including Police Lieutenant Colonel Waranan Srilam, Director of the Consumer Protection Division; Police Lieutenant Colonel Kriangkrai Suepsan, Director of the Regional Special Case Operations Division; Police Lieutenant Colonel Suthasthaworas Areerattanakorn; and Police Sub-Lieutenant Khemchat Prakaihongsamanee, Directors of the Technology and Information Case Division. They were welcomed by Mr. Jumphat Wannachatsiri, Governor of Surat Thani Province, Police Major General Suwat Suksri, Commander of Surat Thani Provincial Police, and other officials.
During the field inspection, some traders under Section 7 were found to have inventory levels in March showing more fuel entering the depots than being sold, differing from February 2026 when incoming and outgoing volumes were roughly balanced. Since fuel is a controlled commodity, authorities will investigate further to determine whether there was unjustified refusal or delay in selling, which would violate Section 31 of the Trade and Services Act B.E. 2542 (1999). Violations carry penalties of up to seven years imprisonment. If commercial wrongdoing is found, the provincial commerce officer, acting as an official, must file charges for criminal prosecution.
"Offenses involving hoarding petroleum fuel by storing oil without declared sources, or refusing or unduly delaying sales without reasonable cause, particularly in large depots, affect national security and public order. Such acts exploit society during times of hardship. If violations are found, cases will be transferred to the Department of Special Investigation for inquiry under special investigation laws, and prosecutions will proceed on all fronts. If organized crime is involved, prosecution will include charges under anti-gang laws, which carry severe penalties, and investigations will extend to money laundering measures," the Minister of Justice stated. .