The Digester
crime

57 million litres of fuel missing from Surat Thani depots

Thai authorities have opened a two-track investigation into suspected stockpiling and disappearances during transport to six depots after 57 million litres went unaccounted for, the justice minister says.

Apr 3rd 2026 · Thailand

Insights

  • Investigators say 96 tanker trips carried 217 million litres to six Surat Thani facilities, but only 160 million litres were recorded as received.
  • A two-pronged probe involves endpoint inspections by police and the Department of Provincial Administration and a supply chain investigation led by the DSI.
  • The DSI has accepted the case as a special case, will summon those involved, and will create a war room to monitor fuel volumes.
  • Refinery inspections found no deliberate stockpiling and remaining oil was described as residual non-extractable stock.
  • Authorities suspect illegal stockpiling and possible smuggling and have previously made arrests under the fuel trade law in other provinces.
  • The missing 57 million litres is roughly equal to one day of national diesel consumption and more than half of combined daily use for diesel, gasoline and gasohol.
  • Investigators will examine inventory records, transport times, documentation and maritime transport routes to trace the losses.

Sources