Bangkok: Energy officials are racing to pinpoint and repair a pipeline leak beneath a bridge pier in Bangkok's Khlong Toei district after fuel contaminated the local drainage system on Chuea Phloeng Road, a senior ministry official said. Thitipat Chotidechachainan, secretary to the energy minister, said technicians have opened inspection pits near the Rama 3 bridge U-turn area and are moving a protective sleeve off the pipe to locate the exact leak site.
According to Thai News Agency, "There is a roughly 90% probability that the contamination stems from the fuel pipeline network," Thitipat stated, adding that physical damage must be visually confirmed before drawing a final conclusion. Immediate repairs will follow once the precise point is exposed. Authorities traced the leak after initial excavations along a 200-meter stretch yielded no exact location. Following orders from Bangkok Governor Chadchart Sittipunt to section off drainage lines to contain the spread, workers discovered oil-soaked soil near the bridge structure. Further testing revealed water movement around the pipe joints, confirming a leak.
Inspectors will check the entire 32-kilometer pipeline stretching from the Bangchak refinery to Don Mueang to identify any additional risks. Damaged pipe sections will be replaced to prevent recurring leaks, and long-term pipeline placement strategies are under review. Meanwhile, the Department of Energy Business has ordered Bangkok Aviation Fuel Services (BAFS) to submit its complete maintenance logs to evaluate overall system safety. Safety teams are continuously monitoring vapor levels to eliminate ignition risks, while the Pollution Control Department has collected five water and fuel samples for laboratory analysis to confirm the oil's origin.