PHETCHABURI, Thailand – The Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment has ordered an investigation into a wastewater discharge at South Cha-am Beach in Phetchaburi province, while preliminary tests found that seawater quality was within recreational standards and that there was no apparent harm to marine life. Minister Suchart Chomklin instructed the Department of Marine and Coastal Resources (DMCR) to monitor conditions and pursue legal action if violations or environmental damage are found.
DMCR Director-General Dr. Pinsak Suraswadi assigned officials to inspect the area with Cha-am Municipality and the Wastewater Management Authority. The discharge occurred on September 12 while a contractor hired by an external agency was replacing a pump at a wastewater pumping station. A temporary pump was used without prior notification to the project supervisor, prompting authorities to halt the discharge and suspend the work.
Inspections at North, Central, and South Cha-am beaches found normal seawater color, no unusual odors, no phytoplankton blooms, and no dead or distressed aquatic animals. Initial tests recorded temperatures of 32.7-33.5 degrees Celsius, pH levels of 8.15-8.19, salinity of 19.5-27.7 parts per thousand, and dissolved oxygen of 4.4-5.8 milligrams per liter, all of which fall within Thailand’s 2021 Type 4 Marine Water Quality Standards for recreational use. Authorities are awaiting detailed laboratory results from collected water samples and will continue monitoring the area. (NNT)
