File photo for reference only

 

The Royal Thai Army is facing serious scrutiny after large volumes of diesel fuel disappeared from its 18th Military Circle in Saraburi. The army has been summoned to explain the vanishing act by the House committee on military affairs, with implications potentially pointing to significant misconduct.

 

Chetawan Thuaprakhon, a People's Party MP from Pathum Thani, announced the committee’s probe into these missing fuel incidents, underlining the gravity of the allegations. These incidents could constitute a breach of duty, raising serious questions about oversight within the military.

 

The primary focus is on two troubling cases. The first dates back to 2022, involving approximately 215,000 litres of diesel. Remarkably, it wasn't until October 2023 that the army initiated an investigation—over a year after the initial disappearance. The House committee requested updates on the inquiry but only received a response on October 12, 2023, noting that the investigation deadline had been pushed to November 29.

 

Frustration mounted as continued inquiries met silence, prompting the committee to involve the Defence Ministry, the National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC), and the Office of the Ombudsman in March 2024. Their request pressed these bodies to look into why there seemed to be an uncooperative stance from the military.

 

The second, more recent case occurred late last year, with another 10,000 litres reportedly going missing. Unlike the previous incident, this one saw no formal investigation recorded, raising eyebrows and concerns about internal procedures.

 

Troubling revelations surfaced when it was discovered that about 9,000 litres of diesel were purchased on November 9, delivered the following day. This suspiciously mirrored the lost quantity, triggering suspicions. The purchase seemed to be made by an individual, not the military unit, suggesting possible compensation from the responsible party.

 

"This is not just carelessness; this resembles misconduct," Chetawan remarked. Such activities might breach Section 157 of the Criminal Code concerning dereliction of duty, he added.

 

Military regulations mandate that losses like these be promptly investigated and reported to the army chief. However, the apparent lack of action has prompted the current parliamentary intervention.

 

The House committee’s session, set for Thursday, aims to unearth more details. Transparency and accountability within the Royal Thai Army are under scrutiny, as the committee seeks to understand the broader implications of these disappearances.

 

This scandal highlights the necessity for improved mechanisms within military operations to ensure missteps are addressed promptly. With potential misconduct involving such significant quantities of fuel—worth millions of Thai baht—the implications could extend beyond Saraburi, sparking wider reforms within the Thai military structure.

 

As the investigation unfolds, both the public and government bodies eagerly await explanations and corrective actions. The situation underscores the importance of vigilance and transparency in military affairs, serving as a reminder of the critical need for adequate oversight to maintain trust and integrity in national institutions.

 

  Adapted by ASEAN Now from Bangkok Post 2025-08-29

 

1 hour ago, snoop1130 said:

These incidents could constitute a breach of duty

On the other hand, they could also constitute a cultural affirmation by the Thai military..., meaning "this is who we are, and this is what we do"

Imagine the nuts on a lad who steals from the Thai military. Maybe it was a higher up who has a fall guy ready to go.

24 minutes ago, chawbdurian said:

Imagine the nuts on a lad who steals from the Thai military. Maybe it was a higher up who has a fall guy ready to go.

 

i'm pretty sure no one's stealing from the military, i'd put money on it being an inside job.

9 hours ago, snoop1130 said:

Chetawan Thuaprakhon, a People's Party MP from Pathum Thani, announced the committee’s probe into these missing fuel incidents, underlining the gravity of the allegations.

 

Sounds like the committee was not treated with sufficient generosity. 

 

Evaporation...