WIDELY-FOLLOWED Facebook page CSI LA today (Dec. 15) posted a map from MarineTraffic.com showing the location of a Thai-flagged vessel that had sailed to Singapore to pick up fuel on Dec. 10 then transported it to Cambodia, docking there yesterday, PPTVHD36 said.
The administrator of this page pointed out that modern warfare is not just about weapons and ammunition, but also controlling the enemy’s energy resources and logistics systems.
The Facebook page also revealed the routes of several other vessels transporting fuel to Cambodia since October, with some continuing to do so, many of them departing from Sriracha port to Cambodia.
“Information has been found of a Thai-flagged oil tanker sailing on a route involving Cambodia. We request that relevant organisations investigate, as several questions arise: Who is the transported oil sold to? What is its purpose? Are there controls in place to prevent its use for military purposes?
“This is particularly concerning given the current security tensions,” the post said.
Furthermore, the Facebook page shared a chat from an oil tanker truck driver stating that hundreds of oil tankers enter and exit Ranong Port daily with this oil coming from refineries in Rayong and Laem Chabang provinces. The driver could not confirm the final destination of the oil unloaded at Ranong Port. He mentioned that he and his company had previously loaded oil for export via several routes, including Chong Mek (in Ubon Ratchathani province, with Veng Tao settlement being on the Lao side) but some loading trips were cancelled.
However, it has been confirmed that large quantities of oil are regularly transported to Ranong Port, approximately 100 trucks per day, but the final destination remains unclear. The questions Thais should investigate are:
– Where does the oil from Ranong Port go?
– Who is the final buyer?
– What is its purpose?
– Are there adequate checks and controls in place?
At 4 p.m. today a reporter asked a navy spokesperson during a press conference on the Thai-Cambodian border situation that according to social media reports, a Thai oil tanker and cargo ship were found near Cambodia’s Koh Kong island and whether the navy had been informed and had investigated the origin and destination of the two ships.
RADM Parach Rattanachaiyapan replied that the navy is addressing this issue. There are several Thai shipping companies that transport fuel to Cambodian territory. In the past, the navy had attempted to negotiate and sought cooperation from the ship owners to prevent the smuggling of military supplies to Cambodia. This matter will be considered again at the National Security Council meeting tomorrow.
Earlier Mr. Veerapat Kiattifuengfu, deputy permanent secretary of the Energy Ministry and spokesperson, said regarding concerns about the potential smuggling of oil through the Chong Mek to Laos then onwards to Cambodia, the ministry, through the Department of Energy Business, is urgently investigating the facts. This includes comparing historical and current export volumes and export routes.
Furthermore, all oil traders have been instructed to comply with the ban on fuel exports at all border crossings between Thailand and Laos, which could potentially lead to onward shipments to Cambodia. The images of stranded oil tankers along the border are a result of the stricter export controls. Currently, the situation is being managed, and coordination with oil traders is underway to verify transportation routes and ensure that the oil is destined for its designated destination in Laos.
In addition to preventing land-based oil smuggling, the department is also strictly monitoring and preventing oil exports by sea, in order to limit exports through all channels.
CAPTION:
Top and Front Page – Map showing the location of this oil tanker shared by CSI LA Facebook page and published by PPTVHD36
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