Bangkok: The House Committee on Military Affairs has summoned the Royal Thai Army to provide clarification on the issue of missing oil supplies in Saraburi and Nonthaburi. Chetwan Tueprakon, a Pathum Thani MP for the Prachachon Party and a member of the committee, expressed his confusion over the disappearance of the oil, though noted that its repurchase was not deemed an act of corruption. He voiced concerns over the slow progress of the investigation and speculated on a possible pending promotion linked to the case.
According to Thai News Agency, Mr. Chetawan addressed the case involving the disappearance of 215,000 liters of diesel fuel from the 18th Military Circle in Saraburi Province. The incident, which occurred in 2022, was reported to the Army Commander the following year. An investigation committee was formed, yet from October 1, 2023, to October 12, 2023, there was no response. Further attempts to obtain clarification from the Ministry of Defense also proved fruitless. On November 14, 2023, and again on January 22, 2024, the committee requested updates, but cooperation was not forthcoming. Eventually, on March 27, 2024, a letter was submitted to the Minister of Defense and other relevant bodies regarding the military’s lack of cooperation.
In a second case, 10,000 liters of oil went missing from the Army Quartermaster Department in Nonthaburi Province. The investigation results, announced on January 14th, have not been followed by a press release. The Army’s previous investigations have often been internal and non-transparent. This incident occurred in late 2023, when the new Director of the Fuel Division discovered the loss and hesitated to sign the receipt. A significant private oil order was made soon after, raising questions about its intent to cover the missing quantity.
Mr. Chetawan noted that, after a year, personnel from the unit filed a complaint, prompting the army to establish a fact-finding committee. Delays persisted until public attention was drawn, leading to remarks from then-Defense Minister Bhumtham Wechayachai. Mr. Chetawan found discrepancies in the documents and suspected personal purchases of 9,000 liters of fuel for distribution, which he admitted was the missing fuel.
The document indicated that the oil was indeed lost and damaged, yet the action was not classified as corruption. Mr. Chetawan questioned why the incident was not deemed corrupt, given the circumstances surrounding the purchase order.
He emphasized the Army’s procedural regulations in such cases, which include filing a report, establishing an investigation committee, and submitting findings to the Army Commander-in-Chief. However, the Army’s actions lacked a formal report and committee, raising concerns about compliance and potential dereliction of duty under Section 157 of the Criminal Code.
Mr. Chetawan questioned the explanation of evaporation regarding the missing oil and highlighted the committee’s intention to invite the Royal Thai Army to clarify the facts. They will also address the delays in the matter, possibly linked to the promotion of the officer involved, who was elevated to the rank of Deputy General. The committee will also investigate the impact on witnesses involved in the case.