BANGKOK, Thailand – The Department of Special Investigation (DSI) on Tuesday reported an increase in suspicious sea-bound oil shipments suspected of hoarding, rising from 96 to 99 trips.
DSI spokesperson Woranan Srilum said investigators from the DSI, Department of Energy Business, and Excise Department are currently cross-referencing transport permits and excise tax records for shipments destined for Surat Thani province in March 2026.
“The number of suspicious trips has risen from 96 to 99. We are now reconciling these figures with total volumes of diesel and gasoline,” Woranan said. He added that officials are identifying the exact number of vessels involved, as some ships performed multiple trips.
The probe also covers 57 million liters of oil reported missing at sea. Investigators noted irregularities in travel times for several vessels sailing from refineries in eastern Thailand to the south.
The DSI is working with relevant agencies to verify if fuel volumes decreased during transit and to determine why certain shipments took an unusually long time to reach their destinations. (TNA)
