As the price of oil around the world continues to rise, gas smuggling in Thailand has been increasing as well.

From the Bangkok Post:

An increase in oil prices has intensified petrol smuggling from Malaysia into four districts of the southern province of Songkhla.

Oil business operators have stocked up on the illegally imported petrol in the hope of making a quick profit.

It is about seven baht cheaper than legal petrol on the domestic market.

Several petrol stations have complained of losses as a result of smuggling by small-scale operators in Saba Yoi, Thepha, Na Thawi and Chana districts.

It has been estimated that at least 100,000 litres of fuel is smuggled into the country from Malaysia each day.

Some petrol is also said to have leaked from military units based in the three southernmost provinces onto the black market.

Globally, gas and oil smuggling is a $6.2 billion market.