Eight 'pirate dogs' that were rescued from illegal oil smuggling ships are without homes.

The pooches were found on three missing oil-smuggling vessels that had been loaded with 'black gold' before they were caught at the border of Malaysian waters off Songkhla province, southern Thailand, on June 16.

The three vessels were earlier impounded by police at the Sattahip Port in Chonburi province before they disappeared. They were towed back to the Songkhla Marine Police pier.

Flight Sergeant First Class Chalermpol Saicharoen said rescuers captured the eight dogs on a request from the animal charity The Hope Thailand.

They are now trying to find new owners who will rehome the animals after relatives of the suspected smugglers, who are detaine din custody, refused to take the mutts.

The sergeant said: 'The operation was difficult because the dogs were running around. One of them jumped overboard and tried to swim back to the port.'

The canines were sent for rehabilitation to the Kru Nong K9 Dog Training Center as they appeared ill and lethargic.

Police Colonel Poramet Phoeynok, superintendent of Songkhla Marine Police, said the relatives of the detained crewmen have declined to take care of the dogs.

Somkid Bungachat, head of The Hope Thailand, said trainers were temporarily caring for the dogs, adding their overall health has improved.

She said: 'There are two dogs that are still quite concerning. One is very thin and unfamiliar with the cage environment. It bit the cage until it wounded its cheek and is currently being treated. It has started eating but still feels depressed from missing its owner.

'Some dogs have swollen paws and fungal infections on their feet that require medication. A veterinarian will come to perform blood tests to check for any abnormal symptoms.'

Somkid said vets were also checking if the female dogs were pregnant. If not, they will be spayed immediately.

She added: 'We are currently awaiting a transfer letter from the superintendent of Songkhla Marine Police to hand over all eight dogs, as relatives of their owners do not wish to care for them.

'As for three other puppies, they are reportedly being well cared for by the police at the 6th Division of the Suppression Bureau. They are healthy and strong.'

The three smuggling vessels, Kamraingoen, JP, and Daorung, were among five boats intercepted and seized in the Gulf of Thailand on March 19, resulting in the arrest of 28 crew members.

However, the boats, along with 330,000 litres of illegal oil they were carrying, suddenly disappeared from Sattahip Port in Chonburi on June 11, along with 15 crew members.

The vessels were located near Malaysia on June 16 before being towed to the pier at Marine Police Division 7 in Songkhla the following day.

However, most of the oil had already been sold on the black market.

Nine Marine Police officers were also under investigation for their potential involvement in the case.

Meanwhile, several crewmen allegedly pointed to a certain Joe Namman Thuen, also known as Joe Pattani, as the ringleader of the oil smugglers.

He has allegedly fled to Cambodia as police were seeking to issue a red Interpol notice for him.

Oil smuggling is a significant problem in Thailand, with a growing shadow economy forming around illegal petrol.

In March this year, Thai authorities seized three ships carrying illegal oil and arrested 28 crew members. The crew was later released on bail, and in June, the seized vessels mysteriously disappeared with a reduced oil cargo and a new crew.

Officials have even found messages suggesting connections between corrupt police officers and the smuggling rings, raising concerns about corruption hindering efforts to combat oil smuggling.