Confiscated vessels are seen anchored at the marine police pier in Sattahip district of Chon Buri before three of them went missing. (Photo supplied)
In an unexpected twist of fate, three vessels, reportedly carrying a whopping 330,000 liters of contraband diesel, vanished from a police pier in Chon Buri last week. According to authorities, the boats had embarked on a high-seas adventure, even making pit stops in Cambodian and Vietnamese waters before being tracked down off the southern coast of Thailand.
Pol Maj Gen Charoonkiat Pankaew, the deputy commissioner of the Central Investigation Bureau, stated on Sunday that a coordinated effort with neighboring countries’ police forces pressured those aboard to surrender. “We’re receiving excellent cooperation, and the possible outcome looks positive,” he commented, oozing confidence amidst the maritime mystery.
The deputy commissioner assured everyone that the police were hot on the trail of these elusive vessels, stressing that the theft, especially right under the nose of the marine police unit in Chon Buri, would not be tolerated.
Adding a twist to this nautical quest, police officers responsible for the vessels’ custody faced serious charges of dereliction of duty, leading to substantial losses for the government. Pol Maj Gen Charoonkiat was quite clear about the dire consequences awaiting those who failed in their duties.
Marine police commander Pol Maj Gen Pritthipong Nuchanart echoed these sentiments. However, he remained skeptical about reports suggesting the vessels were in Cambodian waters. Instead, there were unconfirmed reports claiming that the boats were still adrift on the high seas near Malaysia.
Curiously, the contraband oil on these vessels, valued at about 3 million baht, seemed a small price compared to the ships themselves, each estimated to be worth around 5 million baht. Pol Maj Gen Pritthipong speculated that it would be highly unlikely for thieves to discard such valuable vessels just to make off with the fuel, emphasizing the unfeasibility of such an act.
The local marine police station in Sattahip first reported the absence of the vessels at 6 AM last Wednesday. These nautical nomads were part of a batch of five modified fishing boats seized for oil smuggling, all anchored in what was presumed to be a “safe area” just 100 meters from the marine police pier.
The missing trio included the J.P., laden with 80,000 liters of untaxed oil and seven crew members; the Seahorse, carrying 150,000 liters of contraband diesel and a six-man crew; and the Daorung, with 100,000 liters of untaxed fuel and five crew members.
Interestingly, on that fateful Sunday, Sattahip was hit by storms and strong winds. As a preventive measure, marine police had ordered all five vessels to anchor a little farther from the pier, given that the pier could not safely accommodate them all under such rough conditions.
All five vessels had been seized in connection with a grand oil smuggling operation. As the storm clouds gather over Sattahip and this captivating maritime mystery deepens, one can only wonder whether these ghost ships will finally be reeled in and their enigmatic story concluded.
This sounds like a plot straight out of a heist movie! How on earth did three vessels just vanish under the watch of the marine police?
Right?! It’s mind-boggling. Someone on the inside must have been involved.
Or maybe the thieves just got lucky with the weather conditions and took advantage of the chaos.
I still think it reeks of an inside job. No way this could happen without some help from within.
I believe the authorities are underestimating the value of that oil. It’s not just about the ships—it’s the ongoing revenue from smuggling.
This clearly points to a big corruption issue within the marine police. When will these issues ever be properly addressed?
Agreed. Corruption is rampant and it’s about time serious measures are taken.
It’s easier said than done. Corruption is deeply rooted in many systems and not so easy to eradicate.
This whole incident is just one big embarrassment for the police. Do they even know what they’re doing?
I’m more concerned about the environmental impact of this stolen fuel. What if there’s a spill?
Makes you wonder if the marine police are this incompetent or if they are part of the problem. How does this affect Thailand’s international image?
It’s definitely not good. If other countries think our authorities can’t keep control over their own assets, it’s bad news for trade and tourism.
What if the vessels are still somewhere in the high seas? It’s possible they’re drifting without anyone steering them.
Unlikely. With that much fuel on board, they’ll run out of supplies soon and someone will have to find them.
The local marine police should be thoroughly investigated. This is a huge blow to their credibility.
Definitely, and more accountability measures should be put in place. This can’t go unchecked.
Accountability has always been a huge issue. It’s time for reform.
I’m skeptical about the police’s claim that the vessels were possibly in Cambodian waters. Sounds more like an excuse than a real lead.
Yeah, it’s too convenient. It’s like they’re trying to shift the blame elsewhere.
Exactly. They possibly know more than they are letting on.
All this chaotic information and accusations are only leading to more confusion. Clear facts and actions are needed!
Why would anyone steal the vessels if the contraband oil is worth less? Makes no sense unless there’s a hidden agenda.
Maybe they plan to reuse the vessels for more smuggling activities. It’s a valuable asset for ongoing operations.
Could be, but still feels like a big risk given the current heat from authorities.
People need to focus on the root cause here. The demand for untaxed fuel isn’t going away until taxes are more reasonable.
While that’s true, breaking the law shouldn’t be justified. Reform needs to happen at all levels.
Absolutely. But you can’t ignore the economic pressures that drive people to such extremes.
This situation highlights the need for better security measures at police piers. An embarrassment really!
Stormy weather and strong winds? Sounds like a perfect setting for a planned heist.
Totally. They might have used the storm as cover to execute their plan.
Possible. It’s crazy how nature can become an ally in such scenarios.
The involved officers should face severe penalties. It’s a betrayal of public trust.
Punishing a few won’t solve the systemic issues. We need structural changes.
Totally agree, but accountability is a start. No more sweeping things under the rug.