85,000 litres of smuggled diesel seized from vessel in Sattahip

Fuel had no documentation, responsible parties face fines of B3.85 million

Authorities have seized 85,000 litres of diesel from a vessel in Sattahip district of Chon Buri province after the fuel’s origin could not be verified.

The operation was carried out on Friday when Excise Department officials joined officers from the Navy’s First Area Command to inspect a vessel that had attracted suspicion, said Pornchai Thiraveja, the Excise Department director-general.

Initial checks found a liquid resembling diesel fuel in the vessel’s cargo hold, but no documentation confirming its origin. Samples were collected and sent for laboratory analysis by the department’s product and evidence unit.

Preliminary measurements showed a volume of about 85,000 litres, Mr Pornchai said on Saturday.

Subsequent testing confirmed that the cargo was diesel fuel as defined under the 2017 Excise Tax Act. Officials then filed charges against those involved and proceeded with legal action. The fines imposed amounted to 3.85 million baht.

The excise chief said the operation was carried out in line with Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul’s policy to intensify the crackdown on illegal energy-related activities while maintaining national energy stability.

The department will continue to strengthen cooperation with related agencies to crack down on illegal fuel trading, prevent revenue losses and bolster public and business confidence in the economic system, said Mr Pornchai.

An Excise Department official and a navy officer collect sample of a liquid resembling diesel from the vessel for lab testing. (Photo: Excise Department)