Thai Prime Minister Orders Immediate Nationwide Crackdown on Fuel Hoarding and Illegal Oil Smuggling
Bangkok Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul has directed an urgent, comprehensive crackdown on fuel hoarding and the illegal smuggling of oil out of Thailand, wanting to safeguard the country’s energy supply and protect…
Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul has ordered an immediate nationwide crackdown on fuel hoarding and illegal oil smuggling, targeting all regions including Phuket, following an emergency security meeting on March 27. Acting as Director of the Internal Security Operations Command (ISOC), Anutin directed ISOC to mobilize resources to tighten oversight of the fuel supply chain, aiming to protect Thailand’s energy supply and prevent artificial shortages.
Expanded Oversight and Enforcement Actions
ISOC’s Energy Security Center will now monitor production and distribution at refineries for signs of oil diversion, officials said. Provincial ISOC units, together with border defense forces, are increasing surveillance along transportation routes, focusing on border areas where smuggling is suspected due to cross-border price differences. Joint inspection teams will conduct random checks at gas stations nationwide to detect excessive stockpiling or irregular sales patterns.
Public Involvement and Government Objectives
Authorities have called on the public to report suspected fuel hoarding or smuggling through hotline 1374 or the LINE account @promchuay. The government stated these measures are intended to ensure energy stability, maintain fair pricing, and address recent supply disruptions. Recent fuel price adjustments have also been implemented to discourage illegal exports and protect domestic consumers. Compliance by legitimate businesses is not expected to be affected, officials emphasized.
Source: https://thephuketexpress.com/2026/03/28/thai-prime-minister-orders-immediate-nationwide-crackdown-on-fuel-hoarding-and-illegal-oil-smuggling-2/
