April 3, 2026, at 1115hrs, at Bhakdi Bodin Building, Government House, following the 9.2026 meeting of the Joint Management and Monitoring Center for the Situation in the Middle East, Prime Minister and Minister of Interior Anutin Charnvirakul chaired a press briefing on the Government’s measures on inspection, monitoring, and enforcement of laws against fuel hoarders and smugglers. Joining the Prime Minister at the briefing were representatives of relevant agencies, i.e., Ministry of Justice; Thai Maritime Enforcement Command Center; the Royal Thai Police’s Fuel Crime Suppression Center; the Department of Energy Business; Marine Department; Customs Department; Excise Department; and the Department of Special Investigation (DSI).

The Prime Minister disclosed that the Government has intensified law enforcement under the Royal Decree on the Resolution and Prevention of Fuel Shortages, B.E. 2516 (1973). With the focus on ‘conduct’, not ‘names’, all offenders will be equally prosecuted, regardless of their influence. Any act found to take advantage of the public or undermine the nation’s energy security will be subject to strict legal action.

Ministry of Justice, through the Department of Special Investigation (DSI), in cooperation with the Royal Thai Police, Department of Energy Business, Thai Maritime Enforcement Command Center, Marine Department, Excise Department, the Department of Internal Trade, Customs Department, and local administrative authorities, has conducted intensive on‑site inspections of both major oil traders and jobbers. Based on the inspections carried out on April 1, these following behaviors were found to constitute potential violations of law, and are currently under investigation:

(1) Delaying marine fuel transport by anchoring vessels offshore to await price increases before delivering into the system;

(2) Refusing to release fuel from depots to service stations or end‑users;

(3) Smuggling oil out of usual routes for hoarding purposes

Irregularities were also found in oil volume data reported by the inspection agencies, the figures obtained from refineries, and excise tax records. Coordination will be made with the Thai Maritime Enforcement Command Center for the verification. Investigation will also be expanded to cover land transport to the neighboring countries to check whether exports are in accordance with authorized permits.

According to the Prime Minister, such acts are considered profiteering during the global energy crisis, which necessitates the Government to rely on the Oil Fuel Fund to stabilize energy prices. At present, the Fund, which is intended to ease the burden on the public, sees the loss of over 50 billion Baht. Suppression measures must therefore be seriously implemented.

The Prime Minister affirmed that the Government does not stay idle and immediately assigned the Department of Special Investigation (DSI) to conduct a special investigation through implementation of both preventive measures, monitoring, and prosecution. Minister of Justice and Minister of Defense, together with all relevant agencies, were ordered to integrate their efforts in strictly suppressing offenders. The Prime Minister also called for public cooperation in providing information and leads.

It is presumable that the current situation of abnormally high fuel demand is linked to smuggling and hoarding. Immediate inspections and close control are being carried out. It is expected that this will reduce the outflow of oil outside the system and restore domestic supply to equilibrium. The Prime Minister reassured the public that there are sufficient fuel volumes to accommodate oil consumption during the Songkran festival. Preparations have been made in cooperation with operators under Section 7 to enhance fuel transport capacity and relax certain restrictions to ensure timely distribution of fuel.

The public can rest assured that there will be no fuel shortages, and that travel back to their hometowns during the Songkran festival can be done as usual. The Government will put utmost effort to prevent and suppress violations, and to ensure that there is no taking of advantage during the crisis. It also commits to undertaking energy management in a highly efficient manner for public benefits.

According to the Prime Minister, the current Joint Management and Monitoring Center for the Situation in the Middle East, established under the outgoing administration, will undergo restructuring next week with the establishment of a new entity. The existing body will continue to focus on ensuring sufficient fuel supply, while the new entity will prioritize measures to mitigate public difficulties. Reporting system will also be improved to be in line with the current circumstances. The new entity will also assume expanded responsibilities in the form of ‘ศบก. Plus,’ with the broader scope of operations at multiple levels to enhance management efficiency and further stabilize the situation.