Suspicious tanker delays raise red flags in oil probe

A joint task force comprising the DSI and the Departments of Energy Business and Excise, set up to probe alleged oil hoarding at sea off Surat Thani province, has carried out extensive inspections, including checks on a number of vessels and the quantities of oil carried on each voyage, a spokesperson for the Department of Special Investigation (DSI) said today.

Pol Lt Col Woranan Srilam said authorities have examined the number of tanker trips involved in offshore oil transfers in Surat Thani after irregularities were found. Initially, 96 voyages were identified as potentially linked to oil hoarding.

Pol Lt Col Woranan Srilam

The figure has since been revised upward from 96 to 99 voyages, Woranan said, adding that authorities will reconcile these numbers with the total volume of oil and fuel transported, including both diesel and gasoline.

Woranan said officials are now cross-checking data, as every shipment leaving a depot must be accompanied by transport documentation and proof of excise tax payment at the point of origin. These records will be verified against deliveries at their destinations.

All figures will be compiled into comparative tables covering the total number of voyages and vessels, particularly those heading to Surat Thani last month.

Authorities will also determine how many vessels were involved, as some ships reportedly made multiple trips.

As for the 57 million litres of oil believed to have gone missing at sea, the matter remains under investigation, he added.

The DSI spokesperson said most tanker routes originated in the eastern region, particularly from refineries in Si Racha district of Chon Buri and in Rayong, before heading south to Surat Thani.

Investigators have also detected irregularities, including unusually long travel times for some vessels, especially on routes to Surat Thani, he added.