NAKHON SI THAMMARAT: About 300,000 litres of contraband fuel were seized from two modified fishing trawlers and 13 people arrested at a pier in Tha Sala district early on Wednesday.
It was the largest seizure of illegal oil in the South in recent years.
Soldiers and paramilitary rangers arriving at Khlong Bo Non pier in tambon Tha Sala around 2.30am found the two large trawlers -- Or Fueng Fa and Khachornlarp -- four 18-wheel trucks and a 6-wheel oil tanker at the pier.
The team, led by 4th Army deputy commander Maj Gen Jatuporn Kalamphasut, requested permission to make a search and found about 300,000 litres of untaxed oil on board the two boats. The oil was about to be loaded onto the waiting trucks.
A total of 13 people were arrested -- the boats' skippers, crew and drivers of the trucks. Some crew members jumped into the water and swam away.
Somsak Narongdet, captain of the Or Fueng Fa, allegedly confessed to smuggling the oil from an offshore site to the pier in Tha Sala district.
Trucks were to deliver the contraband cargo to other areas. His vessel made 6-7 trips a month, delivering the untaxed fuel to waiting trucks.
Yothin Pengsawat, 42, driver of one of the 18-wheelers, said he was supposed to deliver the oil to customers in Nakhon Sawan.
Customs and excise officials were called in to inspect the seized oil. The suspects were being further interrogated about the oil smuggling operation and the people involved.
Officials did not say what kind of oil was being delivered, but Thai media reported it was untaxed diesel worth almost 10 million baht.
One of 13 men arrested for oil smuggling is interrogated. (Photo by Nujaree Raekrun)
Two trawlers, four 18-wheel trucks and one 6-wheel oil tanker are seized at Khlong Bo Non pier in Tha Sala district, Nakhon Si Thammarat. (Photo by Nujaree Raekrun)