A petrol station in Pak Chong district, Nakhon Ratchasima, has been fined over 2.5 million baht for distributing 24,000 litres of smuggled diesel. The Excise Department Region 3 conducted a raid following a special monitoring initiative during Thailand's energy crisis. The scrutiny revealed suspicious activities at the petrol station located on the Friendship Highway.

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Upon raiding the station, officers discovered the large quantity of diesel, and the owner could not verify its origin. Fuel samples were taken for analysis, which confirmed the diesel was smuggled. Additional investigations found no documentation proving the tax had been paid for the diesel.

The absence of legal paperwork and confirmed smuggling resulted in the petrol station incurring a hefty fine for violating the Excise Tax Act. This action ensures compliance with tax regulations and supports legitimate business operations.

The Excise Department continues to monitor fuel distribution across Thailand, aiming to safeguard compliant businesses and prevent revenue losses. Further nationwide investigations will be conducted to clamp down on fuel smuggling activities.

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  Adapted by ASEAN Now · The Thaiger · 09 Apr 2026

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Why can't they name or identify the gas station by a more accurate location? I know Thai defamation laws are heavily abused, but the Excise Department has already fined the miscreant, so there's no question of being innocent until proven guilty.

4 hours ago, NanLaew said:

Why can't they name or identify the gas station by a more accurate location? I know Thai defamation laws are heavily abused, but the Excise Department has already fined the miscreant, so there's no question of being innocent until proven guilty.

For the love of God! We can´t have that! It would be in line with transparency. Are you for real? 😂

Just joking, I gave you a +1.

14 hours ago, NanLaew said:

Why can't they name or identify the gas station by a more accurate location? I know Thai defamation laws are heavily abused, but the Excise Department has already fined the miscreant, so there's no question of being innocent until proven guilty.

Appeal expected? Maybe the Excise Department will "find" the missing paperwork inside a BE and so the gas station is no longer a "miscreant"?

15 hours ago, snoop1130 said:

Fuel samples were taken for analysis, which confirmed the diesel was smuggled.

Can any petroleum engineers out there explain how this works? Are there chemical markers in each lot of fuel that will let authorities identify exactly where it came from?

I’m more curious where those millions THB go, who to and what for as you never get the “Follow the money” stories after?

2 hours ago, khunjeff said:

Can any petroleum engineers out there explain how this works? Are there chemical markers in each lot of fuel that will let authorities identify exactly where it came from?

I believe all diesel sold retail in Thailand is B7 or B20. So is cut with bio-fuel. If no bio-fuel then it is not Thai.

17 hours ago, NanLaew said:

Why can't they name or identify the gas station by a more accurate location? I know Thai defamation laws are heavily abused, but the Excise Department has already fined the miscreant, so there's no question of being innocent until proven guilty.

It's not far from a golf course and resort, owned by a big-wig in government.

20 hours ago, snoop1130 said:

24,000 litres of smuggled diesel.

Smuggled from where ?

5 hours ago, khunjeff said:

Can any petroleum engineers out there explain how this works? Are there chemical markers in each lot of fuel that will let authorities identify exactly where it came from?

Yes. This in addition to adding colour dye to diesel that's meant for agricultural use, or for fishing boats depending on the application of different duties or subsidies.

1 hour ago, NanLaew said:

Yes. This in addition to adding colour dye to diesel that's meant for agricultural use, or for fishing boats depending on the application of different duties or subsidies.

In the UK agricultural-use diesel is called red diesel. Red dye. There's usually quite a few folks per year get done for using red diesel when they shouldn't be.

https://www.crownoil.co.uk/guides/dyed-diesel-fuel-guide/