Bangkok: The mystery of the Khlong Toei oil spill is nearing resolution; it is believed to have originated from soil subsidence beneath the bridge piers causing a pipe leak.
According to Thai News Agency, Mr. Chatchart Sittipunt, Governor of Bangkok, recently inspected the site of an oil spill in a drainage pipe on Chueapleng Road in Khlong Toei District. Continuous oil leaks were discovered during the cleaning of drainage pipes last Wednesday. The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA), in partnership with the company responsible for the pipes, excavated the area to locate the source of the leak. It was found that oil was seeping and dripping from pipes beneath the expressway pillars. The BMA plans to delay public announcements until the Ministry of Energy issues its own statement.
Currently, the pipeline is reinforced with a steel casing, preventing visible direct leaks. The initial belief is that uneven settlement between the expressway support pillars, which have pile foundations, and the pipeline laid on the soil caused the leak. The analysis indicates that old oil had accumulated from small leaks over time and mixed with other substances in the soil. The area previously reported as having no leaks is a different section of the pipeline.
For technical details and official confirmation of the cause, the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) will rely on the Ministry of Energy to provide clarification. Meanwhile, BMA officials and related teams continue to monitor the area and offer assistance to ensure public safety.