A DEPARTMENT of Special Investigation police team inspected PTT’s oil storage depot at Phra Khanong today (March 21) to ensure its distribution to petrol pumps is in accordance with market mechanism following Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul’s order that all oil storage facilities nationwide be checked, Naewna newspaper said.
Mr. Chatchai Khunlohit, deputy director-general of the Department of Energy Business, accompanied Pol. Lt. Col. Woranan Srilam, director of DSI’s Consumer Protection Division and spokesperson, and Pol. Capt. Khemachat Prakaihongmani, director of DSI’s Technology and Information Division, in leading 50 police officers to inspect the oil depot on Ajnarong road, where they are checking price labeling, the quantity of oil transported to various areas and whether information sent to each filling station matches the documentation provided.
The team will also inspect petrol pumps and intermediaries to verify compliance with the Prime Minister’s order and the display of announced prices. A report will be submitted to the inspection committee every evening at 6 p.m.
The inspection of PTT’s oil storage facilities is necessary because PTT distributes oil nationwide with this being a way to ascertain retailers are complying with the law, thus ensuring oil reaches the public as quickly as possible, Chatchai said.
Pol. Lt. Col. Woranan said his team is also checking the Phra Khanong facility’s sale of oil to other countries, oil production reserves because any error would affect supply in the market, plus overall production, transportation and distribution process.
Today’s inspection covers eight locations across four provinces and this afternoon the Minister of Justice will join the inspection to summarise the overall findings.
Meanwhile Krabi has been severely affected by oil shortage with some petrol pumps in the southern province now closed till April 1 due to lack of supply, Amarin TV said today.
This TV channel’s reporters said employees at a filling station in Mueang district had to organise a filling queue because so many vehicles showed up, with most being diesel-fueled, after they received 8,000 litres of oil, which ran out quickly. Only premium diesel fuel is available, priced at over 43 baht per litre, more than 10 baht higher than regular diesel. Motorists are forced to fill up, partly to prepare for trips to visit relatives in other areas for Hari Raya Aidilfitri festival.
They also confirmed that some Krabi petrol pumps had announced temporary closures until April 1 due to a lack of fuel deliveries, causing significant hardship for the public.
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Above, below and Front Page: PTT’S oil depot in Phra Khanon being inspected. Photos – Naewna
Inserted and second below – Some petrol pumps in Krabi have temporarily shut down. Photos – Amarin TV
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