On June 16, 2024, Pol. Lt. Gen. Jirapop Phuridej, the commander of the Central Investigation Bureau, announced that three missing oil tankers had been located along with some of their crew members. The Marine Police are currently escorting the vessels to shore in Mueang District, Songkhla Province. The operation’s details have been assigned to Pol. Maj. Gen. Prutthiphong Nuchanart, Commander of the Marine Police, who will address the media at a press conference scheduled for noon on June 17, 2024, at Division 7, Marine Police Division in Songkhla Province.
Pol. Maj. Gen. Prutthiphong revealed that the Marine Police had been in coordination with neighboring countries, which led to the discovery of the three illegal oil tankers in a maritime overlapping area. This area is a special economic zone shared by Thailand, Cambodia, and Vietnam. The discovery was made possible through joint maritime patrols conducted by these nations.
Upon initial inspection, it was found that some of the oil onboard was missing, although not the entire cargo. Additionally, out of the original 16 crew members, only eight remain onboard. The investigation also uncovered attempts to disguise the ships, including changing the color of the national oil tankers.
Preliminary findings suggest that the vessels had previously docked in Cambodia, where some of the crew disembarked along with a portion of the oil. Subsequent maritime patrols and international coordination led to the ships leaving the Cambodian port and attempting to escape by sea. Continuous efforts by the authorities resulted in locating the three tankers in the overlapping economic zone. The vessels are expected to reach the shore by June 17, 2024. Notably, one of the tankers is currently unable to propel itself and requires towing, while the remaining two are operational and can navigate normally.
Pol. Maj. Gen. Prutthiphong will provide further details and updates during the official press conference tomorrow, offering more insights into the ongoing investigation and the circumstances surrounding the disappearance and recovery of the tankers. This operation underscores the importance of regional cooperation in maritime security and the enforcement of laws in shared economic zones.
