Authorities inspect oil depots over hoarding fears during fuel shortage probe

Authorities inspected seven oil-related sites across three provinces on April 29 as part of a nationwide oil depots probe into suspected stockpiling during recent fuel shortages, according to the Bangkok Post. The operation, led by Lt Gen Nopasin Poolsawat and involving multiple agencies, examined facilities in Khon Kaen, Samut Sakhon and Saraburi while officials widened checks under a broader audit that also affects Phuket through national fuel oversight.

Investigators are comparing reported fuel volumes with actual handling records to determine whether operators withheld supply to benefit from price swings after Middle East tensions disrupted markets.

Records, transport data and March shortage period under review

At one site in Sao Hai district, Saraburi, a pipeline transport company allowed officials to enter and inspect its operations.

Preliminary findings showed the firm worked only as a pipeline transporter, while the fuel belonged to four to five major oil companies. Fuel was also moved by tanker truck to retail stations in addition to pipeline deliveries.

Officials are reviewing procurement records, daily intake and distribution logs, inventory data, truck registration records, delivery documents, CCTV footage, pipeline layouts and electricity-use records.

The review focuses on March, especially March 20-25, when shortages worsened. Drivers interviewed during the inspection described distribution patterns, including one tanker driver serving a small petrol station in Nakhon Ratchasima who said he hauled about 32,000 litres per trip and needed about four hours for each run, depending on company scheduling.

The seven sites checked on April 29 are part of a government order to audit all 92 oil depots nationwide.

Source: https://www.thephuketnews.com/oil-depots-targeted-amid-hoarding-fears-100067.php