Bangkok: Energy Minister Attapol Rerkpiboon has urgently instructed provincial energy offices nationwide to monitor the operations of gas stations and fuel storage facilities to prevent hoarding.
According to Thai News Agency, the Minister of Energy has issued direct orders to provincial energy offices to oversee gas station operations and fuel storage to avert hoarding activities. An investigation is currently underway in Ang Thong province to determine if recent discoveries constitute hoarding. Preliminary findings indicate violations related to the failure to report transport documents and selling fuel at prices above the legal limit. The Minister emphasized that, based on the investigation's outcomes, legal action may be pursued, with the Ministry of Energy and the Ministry of Commerce collaborating to penalize offenders and deter similar future actions.
Minister Attapol stated, "I have instructed provincial energy offices nationwide to closely monitor the situation and report back continuously. We will be working with the Ministry of Interior, provincial commerce offices, and the police to prevent hoarding or selling at excessively high prices. The Ministry of Energy will continue to closely monitor the situation until it returns to normal, in order to build consumer confidence."