Photo by Greenpeace
The government admits to needing foreign help to continue cleaning efforts on Koh Samet and Rayong. Deputy Prime Minister Plodprasop Surawadi stated that Thailand is ill equipped to manage the spill alone and that foreign aide is now necessary.
Plodprasop also confessed that the Kingdom lacks equipment and that looking toward Singapore, who possesses the technology needed, could be the best bet.
The areas most affected by the spill are the environment, tourism and fishing industries and priorities are focused on protecting them. PTTGC has acknowledged fault in the spill and vow to “pay every baht” to cover the cost of cleaning efforts. PM Yingluck will request government to ensure the safety of locals and tourists.
The Prime Minister has also instructed assistance be sought from neighboring countries possessing the technology and equipped required for managing such a crisis.
As well, Energy Minister Pongsak urged individuals affected by the spill to negotiate compensation direct with PTTGC instead of suing the oil company. “Negotiation is a better option. Lawsuits could take more than 3 years to run their course.” He pointed to the fact that PTTGC has taken responsibility for the disaster, which includes covering costs for those affected by the crisis.
Pongsak has ordered Rayong officials to draw a list of people hit by the spill to aid in a speedy compensation.
Pongsak believes that clean up of Ao Phrao would conclude today, after which environmental rehabilitation would begin. But conservationist group Greenpeace refuted that this statement is inaccurate, “PTTGC’s claim that 80% of the work is done is false.” The group added, “It’s very disappointing that this global company has no emergency plan to deal with the crisis.”
The Thai Environmental Health Association is firing off that PTTGC acted too slowly. It was not until oil began washing onto the shores of Ao Phrao Sunday night that serious concern sparked around the scale and affect the spill will have on the environment and tourism. The association is also questioning the slow response because, “PTTGC has invested tens of millions of baht in clean-up equipment and training its staff.”
