Pictures courtesy of Khaosod 

 

Consumer Protection Police have raided and shut down an unlicensed engine oil recycling factory in Pathum Thani, seizing nearly 700,000 litres of illicit lubricants valued at more than 14 million baht. The operation immediately halted suspected illegal production and distribution activities, with all products and raw materials taken as evidence. Authorities said the case could have significant safety and regulatory implications due to fire risks and unauthorised fuel handling.

 

The raid was carried out on 18 December 2025 at a lubricating oil manufacturing and distribution company in Bang Toei subdistrict, Sam Khok district, Pathum Thani province. The action was ordered by Pol Maj Gen Kongkrit Lertsitthikun, commander of the Consumer Protection Police Division and led by senior officers from Subdivision 2, working jointly with officials from the Pathum Thani Provincial Energy Office. Police acted on suspicions that the company was producing lubricating oil without the legally required permits.

 

The investigation followed an earlier seizure of illicit engine oil products with a 20W-50 formula at a retail outlet in Phai Kong Din subdistrict, Bang Pla Ma district, Suphan Buri province. That discovery prompted an expanded inquiry, which traced the origin of the products back to the factory in Sam Khok. Investigators gathered sufficient evidence to obtain a court warrant before conducting the search.

 

During the inspection, officers found 697,200 litres of engine oil products and related raw materials, with a total estimated value of 13,944,000 baht. Checks inside the premises revealed there was no adequate water supply for fire suppression and no legal approval to modify or add a 40,000-litre lubricating oil storage tank, as required by law. Authorities said these conditions constituted operating a fuel-related business without complying with regulatory criteria and safety standards.

 

Company directors claimed the lubricating oil had been obtained through auctions of used engine oil from private firms and recycled to restore quality before being exported exclusively to overseas customers. However, police said they were not convinced by this explanation. Investigators reported evidence indicating that the products had previously been sold within Thailand, particularly in Suphan Buri province.

 

Khoasod reported that all seized items have been retained as evidence, and samples of the 20W-50 lubricating oil have been sent for quality analysis to support the case file. Police said legal proceedings would follow once testing is complete, with charges pursued to the fullest extent of the law. Further investigations are expected to determine the full distribution network and any additional regulatory breaches.

 

 

Key Takeaways

 

• Police seized 697,200 litres of illicit engine oil worth 13,944,000 baht during a raid in Pathum Thani on 18 December 2025.

• Investigators allege the factory operated without permits and posed safety risks due to inadequate fire prevention measures.

• Authorities are testing oil samples and preparing legal action after finding evidence of domestic sales.

 

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 Adapted  by  Asean Now from Khaosod 2025-12-20

 

 

3 hours ago, Georgealbert said:

Khoasod reported that all seized items have been retained as evidence,

So they have moved it ? no of course not it is still in the unsafe building init......

"Illegal" solely because it's untaxed!