Police, Department of
Special Investigations and Energy Ministry officials raid the Tianchai
Petrochemical station on Sukhumvit Road.
Theerarak Suthathiwong
Department of Special Investigations and Energy Ministry officials
raided a Naklua gas station, arresting its owner for allegedly selling
cooking gas to drivers of liquid natural gas vehicles.
Banglamung Police Superintendent Col. Somnuk Changate joined police and
regulators on the Nov. 2 operation at the Tianchai Petrochemical station
on Sukhumvit Road, apprehending owner Thummasak Rithkriangkrai on fraud
charges. Authorities closed the station for all business.
The raid came after complaints that Thummasak had been trying to pad his
bottom line by reselling cheaper cooking gas as transportation fuel, a
violation of ministry regulations that could put the gas station owner
behind bars for up to 10 years and cost him up to 100,000 baht in fines.
Inspectors found a tanker transferring cooking gas to a tank marked for
LNG in the rear of the station. Several employees, suspected to be
illegal aliens, also were taken into custody. DSI investigator Prawit
Chaibuadaneg said the owner confessed to the charges.
Prawit said the cooking-for-transport gas switch is common, as it nets
unscrupulous gas station owners about 1.6 baht per liter.
