Smugglers caught selling cheap diesel to motorists in Hua Hin

[Bristolian]

http://www.bangkokpost.com/news/general ... -motorists

PRACHUAP KHIRI KHAN - Three illegal outlets selling contraband diesel were raided and shut down overnight by teams of police and soldiers from the 15th Army Circle on a bypass road between Cha-am and Pran Buri districts.

The outlets, in Hua Hin district, were selling cheap, smuggled fuel to passing motorists.

The first was on the Bangkok-bound side of the road at Moo 12 village in tambon Hin Lek Fai and the second on the south-bound side, opposite the first.

The third illegal outlet was at Ban Nong Phai in tambon Thap Tai.

There were about ten 200-litre drums of untaxed diesel at each spot. Police said deliveries were made each day. There was also equipment for transferring the fuel from the drums to customers' vehicles.

The three businesses operated around the clock.

Lt Thirapong Namsala, who led the soldiers in the raids, said the three smuggled-oil outlets had been in operation for about five months.

The fuel was being sold at 2-3 baht per litre below the normal retail price.

Sources said that smuggled diesel was available for motorists at seven spots along the bypass between Cha-am and Pran Buri districts -- three outlets in Hua Hin district of Prachuap Khiri Khan province and four in Cha-am district of Phetchaburi.

During Wednesday nights raids in Hua Hin district three men were arrested, one at each outlet.