Thai man warns of petrol scam after paying 40,000 and getting water
A Thai man in Phetchabun warned the public to be cautious when buying fuel during the ongoing shortage, after he paid 40,000 baht for petrol but received a container filled with water.
The man posted videos on his Facebook account, อำนาจ โซล่าเซลล์, on Monday, March 16, showing him and his employees draining water from a well-drilling engine. His caption read, “Warning, paying for petrol but getting water.”
In the clip, he said the engine stopped working, prompting him to check the fuel. He claimed that water was found in the tank, not fuel.
The man was later identified as Amnat Thueansantier. He told ThaiRath he runs a groundwater search and well-drilling business in Nong Phai district, Phetchabun province.
Amnat said he asked his staff to buy petrol from a small shop in Bueng Samphan district, Phetchaburi, paying 40,000 baht due to the fuel shortage. After refuelling the drilling engine, he said it would not start.
He said the engine indicated a fuel injection problem, leading him to inspect the fuel and discover it was water. Amnat said he then struggled to find another source of petrol. Once he refuelled with new petrol, the engine worked normally. He added it was fortunate the engine was not damaged by the water.
Amnat said his staff had previously bought petrol from the same shop, spending about 50,000 to 60,000 baht, without any problems.
He urged others to check fuel containers carefully after purchase, particularly when buying from small petrol stations. Amnat said he did not take legal action against the shop owner, despite encouragement from some online users, adding that he considered the incident bad luck.
Amid the fuel shortage, Director-General of the Department of Energy Business Sarawut Kaewtahip apologised for the situation and said Thailand has enough fuel for at least 101 days. He said shortages at individual stations were caused by distribution bottlenecks.
Fuel prices also increased today, March 18, prompting criticism. Energy Minister Attaphol Rerkpiboon was criticised after he urged residents to curb the impact of higher prices by reducing fuel usage. He was reported as saying…
“Indeed, if you want the fuel price to reduce by three baht per litre which is 10% of a current price, you can do it yourself. You can just reduce the use of petrol for 10%, so you will spend less.”
Attaphol also said higher fuel prices affect electricity generation costs, but promised to try not to raise electricity charges to avoid further impacts on the public.
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