Bangkok: The Ministry of Energy is mobilizing resources for 24-hour exploration and is urgently expanding the investigation to all high-risk areas for oil spills. The "Energy Team" continued its search for the oil leak in the drainage pipes on Chuea Phloeng Road and under the Rama III Bridge for the second day. After excavating, they discovered water mixed with oil from old drainage pipes. Further excavation has been ordered, along with the deployment of additional personnel, machinery, and technology to quickly locate the leak. Officials assess that the cause may be related to several factors, including the drainage pipes under the railway tracks, public park improvements, and surrounding construction.
According to Thai News Agency, Ms. Thitiphas Chotdechachainant, Secretary to the Minister of Energy, visited the drainage area on Chuea Phloeng Road and under the Rama III Bridge in Bangkok to monitor and inspect the work of operators in order to follow up on the progress of locating the oil spill. This was the second day of the follow-up visit. She also coordinated with the operators to expedite additional excavation in the area to locate the source of the spill and implement corrective measures promptly.
During additional excavation today, officials discovered water mixed with oil originating from an old drainage pipe. They have therefore ordered simultaneous drilling in nearby areas to locate any further oil leaks and to mobilize all available resources, machinery, and relevant technology to support the operation in order to quickly identify any additional leaks.
Regarding the cause of the leak, officials assess that it could be due to several factors affecting the pipeline's structure, including the fact that the oil pipeline runs beneath the railway tracks, or it may have been affected by renovations to a nearby park, as well as other construction activities in the surrounding area.
Ms. Thitiphas said that the Minister of Energy, Mr. Ekanat Phromphan, attaches great importance to this incident and has therefore ordered continuous on-site monitoring of the situation, as well as coordination with operators to expedite the inspection and resolution of the problems as quickly as possible. This work must be carried out 24 hours a day. During the inspection, all safety systems must be in place.