Pictures courtesy of Daily News

Thai naval authorities have seized a tanker carrying about 10,000 litres of diesel after it was found operating without identification systems in the Gulf of Thailand, prompting investigations into possible fuel smuggling and labour violations. The vessel, M/T PHOENIX, was intercepted during a routine patrol and escorted to Sattahip for detailed checks, with eight crew members taken into custody for questioning.

The operation was announced on 29 December by Vice Admiral Chalermchai Suankaew, Commander of the First Naval Area, alongside agencies including the First Maritime Enforcement Command Centre, HTMS Prachuap Khiri Khan, the Excise Department, the Marine Department’s Pattaya branch, Sattahip Police and Customs officials. The joint task force said the tanker was detected earlier, on 27 December 2025 at 16:00, while anchored around 50 nautical miles, or about 90 kilometres, south of Koh Samet.

According to naval officials, the vessel raised suspicion because it displayed no ship name or registration number, did not fly a national flag and had switched off its Automatic Identification System (AIS). Boarding officers found eight crew members on board: three Thai nationals, one Myanmar national and four Cambodian nationals, none of whom had passports or valid work permits and no essential ship documents were produced.

Investigators said the crew gave inconsistent and evasive statements. The ship’s master claimed he had been hired to collect diesel from another vessel at sea in Malaysian waters and return to Thai waters, but said he did not know the intended destination or purpose of the fuel. Authorities then escorted the tanker to Juk Samet Pier at Sattahip Naval Base in Chonburi province for further examination.

Officials explained that the patrol formed part of an ongoing naval operation under Order Chakraphong Phuwanart 682, aimed at protecting Thailand’s maritime territory and preventing vessels from Cambodia from encroaching into Thai waters. The order also seeks to stop Thai vessels from transporting fuel or military supplies to Cambodia, with regular sea and air surveillance conducted and guidance issued to Thai maritime operators.

Daily News reported that preliminary findings indicate multiple offences. Under the Thai Navigation in Thai Waters Act of 1913 and its amendments, violations include operating with an expired licence, failing to display a vessel name and licence number, using a vessel outside permitted conditions and employing unauthorised crew, resulting in fines and an order suspending the vessel’s use. Additional charges under the 2017 Emergency Decree on the Management of Foreign Workers have been referred to Sattahip Police, while authorities continue to expand the investigation into the fuel transport network.

Key Takeaways

• A tanker carrying about 10,000 litres of diesel was seized in the Gulf of Thailand after operating without AIS or national identification.

• Eight crew members of Thai, Myanmar, and Cambodian nationality were found without proper documents or permits.

• Authorities are pursuing multiple legal charges and expanding investigations into potential fuel smuggling.

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 Adapted by Asean Now from Dailynews 2025-12-31

 

So it was almost empty, which is what 10,000 litres of diesel is for a ship like that.

62 barrels.

Softly, softly, catchee monkey!

Should have waited until the delivery ship arrived and nicked both ends of the operation.