Thailand’s Excise Department probes official’s involvement in oil smuggling case

[snoop1130]

 

An investigation is underway by Thailand’s Excise Department into allegations that a high-level official attempted to persuade police to release a truck carrying 15,000 litres of smuggled oil. The department’s Deputy Director-General Kriangkrai Pattanaporn revealed that a probe committee was formed to look into the arrest of the 47 year old driver, identified only as Sombat, in Prachuap Khiri Khan province.

 

Initial findings showed that the truck was indeed transporting smuggled oil. Reports indicate that anti-corruption police and excise officials intercepted the vehicle on Phetkasem Highway in Tambon Koh Lak in Prachuap Khiri Khan province, while it was heading towards the Central Plains. Following the arrest, a high-level official from the Excise Department allegedly contacted the police at the scene, attempting to secure the release of the truck and its driver. However, the police refused the request.

 

Kriangkrai stated that the Excise Department and Anti-Corruption Division police are jointly conducting the investigation. “If evidence implicates a high-level executive, the department will verify it and take disciplinary action without any leniency,” he said.

 

By Mitch Connor

Top photo caption: Photo Courtesy of Bangkok Post

 

Full Story: https://thethaiger.com/news/national/excise-department-probes-officials-involvement-in-oil-smuggling-case

 

-- © Copyright Thaiger 2023-06-08

 

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[hotchilli]

12 hours ago, snoop1130 said:

Initial findings showed that the truck was indeed transporting smuggled oil. Reports indicate that anti-corruption police and excise officials intercepted the vehicle on Phetkasem Highway in Tambon Koh Lak in Prachuap Khiri Khan province, while it was heading towards the Central Plains. Following the arrest, a high-level official from the Excise Department allegedly contacted the police at the scene, attempting to secure the release of the truck and its driver. However, the police refused the request.

Now he's in the mire, should have said nothing and denied everything.

[RichardColeman]

13 hours ago, snoop1130 said:

and Anti-Corruption Division police are jointly conducting the investigation

carry on as normal then

[mikebell]

16 hours ago, snoop1130 said:

a high-level official attempted to persuade police to release a truck carrying

anything.  He obviously didn't offer the going rate.

[ChipButty]

Nothing new here I remember reading a book 20 years ago about the Black economy in Thailand and oil was part of the story,