Thai Authorities Raid Diesel Smuggling Network, Seize Over 23 Million Liters in the Gulf of Thailand

National—

At 10:30 AM, on November 24th, 2023, Pol. Maj. Gen. Prutthiphong Nuchanart, the Commander-in-Chief of the Royal Thai Army, and relevant officials held a press conference on raiding a diesel smuggling network of more than 23 million liters within the territorial seas of Thailand.

Pol. Maj. Gen. Prutthiphong publicly revealed after receiving a report from an anonymous source that there was illegal fuel smuggling without permission from customs officials taking place in the territory of the Gulf of Thailand. The crime suppression officers then performed a field inspection and found a connection to a large network.

According to the report from the Thai crime suppression officers, within two years, there were 23 million liters of illegal diesel confiscated and more than ten suspects were captured. It was reported that the penalty rate is as high as 2.7 billion baht.

Initially, most of the suspects reportedly confessed their wrongdoings and some of them denied the accusation, said the police officers.

The police pledged to further investigate the case to hold involved individuals accountable for their crimes as it causes damage to the nation and affects other fishermen.

The original version of this article appeared on our sister website, The Pattaya News, owned by our parent company TPN media.

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Goongnang Suksawat
Goong Nang is a News Translator who has worked professionally for multiple news organizations in Thailand for many years and has worked with The Pattaya News for five years. Specializes primarily in local news for Phuket, Pattaya, and also some national news, with emphasis on translation between Thai to English and working as an intermediary between reporters and English-speaking writers. Originally from Nakhon Si Thammarat, but lives in Phuket and Krabi except when commuting between the three.