The Prime Minister revealed that oil hoarding was occurring off the official routes but affirmed that oil services during Songkran would be normal. "Ruttaphon" explained that at Surat Thani, 57 million liters of oil were lost during maritime transport. The case has been designated a special investigation. He emphasized that refineries are not involved in hoarding.
On 3 Apr 2026 GMT+7 at the Government House, Prime Minister and Minister of Interior Anutin Charnvirakul held a press conference after convening security and economic officials to discuss the oil hoarding situation. Attending were Police Lieutenant General Ruttaphon Naowarat, Minister of Justice; Police Colonel Yutthana Praekham, Director-General of the Department of Special Investigation (DSI); Admiral Thadawut Tatphitakkul, Chief of Staff of the Navy and Secretary-General of the Maritime Enforcement Command; Sarawut Kaotathip, Director-General of the Department of Energy Business; Associate Professor Police Lieutenant General Dr. Thatchai Pitapilabut, Deputy Commissioner of Police and Director of the Police Narcotics Suppression Center; Kritpetch Chaichuay, Director-General of the Marine Department; Phanthong Loikulnan, Director-General of the Customs Department; and Pornchai Thiravej, Director-General of the Excise Department.
The Prime Minister said the press briefing aimed to prevent and suppress attempts by hoarders and illegal sellers who remove oil from the country's official system, causing illegal sales. The government has established the Emergency Operations Center (EOC) to monitor and enforce the law against those hoarding oil that causes public hardship. Relevant agencies are instructed to proceed firmly according to the law, regardless of influence or status.
The Ministry of Justice, together with the DSI and the Maritime Enforcement Command, has investigated oil traders and discovered hoarding for speculative gain including: 1. Delays in maritime oil transport intended to await retail price increases for higher profits; 2. Refusal to release oil from large depots to service stations; 3. Transporting oil off official routes for hoarding.
The government is currently investigating and expanding inquiries into individuals involved in the volume of oil transported at sea, suspected of illegal transshipment. Investigations are underway, uncovering irregularities between data from the Marine Department and the Department of Energy Business compared with refinery output data. Shipping routes are being checked with the Maritime Enforcement Command, as well as land transport to neighboring countries, to determine if oil shipments exceed permitted amounts. This represents excessive profiteering amid the energy crisis. The Oil Fund has compensated over 50 billion baht in losses to support Thai people, not to enable hoarding or export. Thus, strict action will be taken, including assigning DSI to expand investigations as special cases.
"As head of government, I assure you I am not indifferent to these issues and have ordered relevant agencies to investigate so the public knows the facts. Going forward, preventive measures will be combined with legal actions," the Prime Minister stated.
Police Lieutenant General Ruttaphon stated that the DSI has been investigating from the source and depots and found multiple violations in locations such as Ang Thong, Mae Sot, and Nakhon Sawan. Regarding the Surat Thani case, 96 vessel trips transporting 217 million liters departed depots, but only 160 million liters arrived, resulting in 57 million liters lost. The same enforcement approach will be applied and prosecutions pursued.
The Royal Thai Police conducted random checks on approximately six out of 39 suspicious closed service stations suspected of hoarding, such as having oil in storage but reducing distribution. Some depots held 18 million liters but only dispensed 11 million liters in March, indicating speculative behavior. Illegal exports of 45,000 liters were found in Mae Sot. Regarding Cambodian fishing vessels shown on TikTok, investigations revealed they belong to Thais and the inquiry is ongoing.
The Prime Minister added that he has ordered the Ministers of Justice and Defense to act decisively against those exploiting the crisis for personal gain. Since 1 Mar, Thailand has consumed 67 million liters daily, but figures surged to 85 million liters per day, indicating large amounts of oil being purchased and diverted illegally. Inspections in industrial sectors requiring such volumes support suspicions of hoarding and illegal activities, with abnormalities confirmed on investigation.
Admiral Thadawut Tatphitakkul, Chief of Staff of the Navy and Secretary-General of the Maritime Enforcement Command, said that due to the oil situation in March, the Prime Minister ordered a halt to oil shipments to Cambodia. In Surat Thani, out of 96 vessel trips, 20 were suspicious for abnormal slow sailing to delay transport. These included 13 trips carrying 35 million liters and 7 docked for extended times with 16 million liters, totaling nearly 50 million liters under further scrutiny. Strict enforcement measures are ongoing to prevent leakages.
Police Colonel Yutthana Praekham, Director-General of the DSI, said that proving oil losses at sea will take time, but hoarding and transport delays are serious offenses being handled as special cases with coordinated efforts.
Police Lieutenant General Ruttaphon stated that the case has a war room at the DSI. Document reviews confirm refineries have no involvement in hoarding. Some oil stocks cannot be retrieved or seized as no wrongdoing was found.
The Prime Minister confirmed that oil services will be normal during Songkran and urged the public not to stockpile. He has coordinated with operators to have increased standby oil transport vehicles to alleviate public concerns.