Royal Thai Navy busts illegal oil smuggling ring in South Thailand

The Second Naval Area Command of the Royal Thai Navy (RTN) received a report about a boat allegedly involved in illicit oil smuggling to fishing vessels near Songkhla yesterday, February 8.

In response, the RTN launched an investigation which uncovered a vessel specifically adapted for clandestine oil transportation, carrying an astonishing 10,000 litres of illicit oil intended for local fishermen operating in Songkhla on February 7.

The operation led to the apprehension of four crew members of the vessel. The suspects, whose identities were withheld, were promptly arrested and taken to the Songkhla Naval Base for further legal proceedings, reported Pattaya News.

The confiscated illicit oil was seized as crucial evidence in the ongoing investigation.

In related news, the second half of last year saw a significant spike in methamphetamine seizures in Thailand, with over 250 million pills intercepted, which is twice the quantity seized during the same period the prior year. This rise in the illegal drug trade is reportedly due to increased smuggling activities across the borders from neighbouring nations, as explained by Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin.

The issue was raised during a parliamentary session when Sophon Saram, a representative from the Bhumjaithai Party, questioned the government’s strategies to combat drug abuse in Thailand. Sophon’s concerns were centred around the easy accessibility of narcotics, particularly for students and children nationwide.

In other news, PM Srettha unleashed a plan to tackle the escalating crisis of para rubber smuggling in Kanchanaburi province. The PM’s decisive action involves a high-stakes order to key agencies, including the Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives and the RTA, to urgently confront the illicit trade.

Acknowledging the recent surge in smuggling activities, the prime minister left no room for ambiguity, demanding swift and comprehensive efforts to monitor border areas and crack down on illegal imports.