BANGKOK, THAILAND – Thailand’s government launched a special investigation into suspected fuel stockpiling and illegal diversions in the supply chain, while assuring that Songkran fuel supplies would remain stable despite missing volumes including 57 million litres at sea.
Government sounds alarm over stockpiling and smuggling
On 3 April 2026, Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul addressed reporters at Government House after security and economic agencies met to discuss conditions in the oil market. The authorities said their goal was to stop attempts to divert fuel from the national system for illegal resale, and a state control centre for monitoring and enforcement was set up.
According to officials, the centre was meant to coordinate relevant agencies and tighten oversight along the distribution chain. The move followed mounting concerns over unexplained discrepancies in fuel volumes and reports of speculative behaviour.
Three patterns under scrutiny: delays, delivery refusals, detours
The Justice Ministry, the Department of Special Investigation (DSI) and the maritime security coordination body Thai-MECC reported indications of speculative practices across the fuel supply chain. They cited intentional delays of sea transport until potential price increases, refusals to release fuel from large depots to petrol stations, and “off-route” journeys for suspected interim storage.
Officials said these three patterns formed the core focus of the new special investigation. They stressed that any proven manipulation of deliveries or routes would face legal action under existing fuel trade regulations.
57 million litres missing in Surat Thani
Justice Minister Pol. Lt. Gen. Ruttapol Neawarat reported irregularities in Surat Thani province, where 96 shipments totalling 217 million litres left a depot but only 160 million litres were recorded as having arrived. The difference of 57 million litres was being traced under the same investigative framework, and authorities announced plans to prosecute those found responsible.
Investigators said they were comparing shipment documents, delivery records and vessel movements to establish where the missing volumes might have been diverted. The case has been treated as a key example of possible systematic siphoning from the official network.
Unusual vessel movements: 20 trips flagged
Rear Admiral Thadawut Thadphithakkun, chief of staff of the Royal Thai Navy and secretary-general of Thai-MECC, said abnormal delays had been detected in Surat Thani in March. Twenty voyages were considered irregular: 13 trips carrying 35 million litres and seven journeys with extended berthing times involving 16 million litres, nearly 50 million litres in total now under closer scrutiny.
Maritime authorities were examining navigation data and port records to clarify the reasons for prolonged layovers and route deviations. They indicated that any unjustified delays linked to speculative behaviour could trigger further legal proceedings.
Police inspections target petrol stations and Mae Sot export case
The Royal Thai Police conducted random checks on closed petrol stations and found six suspicious cases out of 39 inspected. In some instances, stock remained in storage while lower volumes were dispensed to customers.
As an example, officials referred to a depot that reportedly held 18 million litres but released only 11 million litres in March. In Mae Sot, authorities also identified a suspected illegal export of 45,000 litres, which has been added to the broader investigation.
Consumption surge seen as sign of diversion
The prime minister highlighted fuel consumption data from 1 March, noting that Thailand consumed an average of 67 million litres per day, with peaks of up to 85 million litres per day. He said this additional demand did not appear to be explained by industrial or economic activity.
The government therefore viewed the surge as an indicator of diversion, smuggling or stockpiling. Officials announced intensified investigations to determine how much of the apparent overuse could be linked to unlawful practices.
DSI grants special-case status, sets up “war room”
DSI director Pol. Maj. Gen. Yutthana Phraekham stated that proving “oil losses” at sea would take time, but stockpiling and transport delays already showed a serious pattern. Ruttapol announced the creation of a “war room” at the DSI to coordinate evidence gathering and case management.
He also stressed that, based on current files, refineries were not involved in stockpiling. While some retrievable data were still missing in certain areas, no wrongdoing by refineries had been established so far.
Songkran supply pledge and warning against panic buying
The prime minister pledged that fuel would remain regularly available during the Songkran festival period and explicitly urged the public not to hoard. Operators were instructed to deploy additional tank trucks to prevent shortages and ease public concern.
Authorities said these measures aimed to stabilise the market while investigations continued. They reiterated that unnecessary panic buying could itself create supply pressure despite sufficient national reserves.
Raids in Surat Thani: six sites checked, next steps hinge on complaint
In a further update on 3 April, officials said a joint team from the Justice Ministry, DSI, Defence Ministry and police inspected depots of major traders in Surat Thani on 1 April. Six sites were checked under the relevant provisions of the Fuel Trade Act (B.E. 2543/2000).
In one cited case, a depot allegedly held 2 million litres in stock but released only 400,000 litres in March. For this to be formally treated as a special case, however, a complaint from the provincial commerce office would first be required before additional legal steps could proceed.