TAK — 21 April 2026, Thai authorities have seized large quantities of fuel in separate operations along the Thai-Myanmar border in Tak province, suspecting the shipments were bound for Myanmar.
Border patrol rangers from Company 3506 of Task Force 35, together with police and local officials, were patrolling near a cargo transit point in Ban Mae Salit Luang, Tha Song Yang district, when they spotted a suspicious vehicle transporting goods.
Upon seeing officers, the driver abandoned the fuel containers and fled. A search found three 200-litre drums of 91-octane gasohol, totalling 600 litres.
In a subsequent patrol near the rear of the Tha Song Yang highway unit, officials discovered a further eight 30-litre diesel containers, totalling 240 litres, left unattended. All 840 litres were seized and handed to investigators at Tha Song Yang police station for legal action.
In a separate case on 20 April, the Customs Department, led by the Regional Customs Office 3 and Mae Sot checkpoint, inspected a 22-wheeled lorry at an informal border crossing in Mae Sot district.
Officials found 16,000 litres of diesel worth more than 700,000 baht concealed on board.
Customs officers said the act constituted smuggling under the Customs Act B.E. 2560 (2017), and legal proceedings are under way.
Authorities believe the fuel was intended for export across the border into Myanmar opposite Mae Sot. Officials said enforcement along the border will be stepped up.
