Asia/Pacific News
Suspected Bunker Pirates Apprehended in Thailand
11 suspected bunker pirates have been apprehended in Thailand following a police raid last Saturday, local media reports.
A Navy-Marine Police team was said to have found about 370,000 litres of diesel on four boats that had been modified for smuggling.
Police General Somyos Phumphanmuang, deputy National Police chief said the suspects, named as 45 year old Chaiyan Suksa-nguan of Laem Sing district along with 10 Cambodian crew, were apprehended after several months of intelligence gathering.
Chaiyan allegedly confessed to having several times brought foreign diesel to a wharf to sell to fishing boats for Bt30,000 ($935) per delivery.
According to the report, the government allows diesel to be sold free of customs and excise taxes to fishermen operating 12 nautical miles from shore, but the sale of untaxed oil onshore is illegal.
