BANGKOK, Thailand – Bangkok authorities are continuing round-the-clock operations to locate the source of petroleum contamination in the drainage system near Chuea Phloeng Road, beneath the Rama III Bridge U-turn, in Khlong Toei district. Crews are excavating along a 14-inch oil pipeline and removing sections of concrete for inspection, while nearby residents affected by the overnight work are being offered temporary accommodation.
Bangkok Governor Chadchart Sittipunt reported on Sept 11 that crews had excavated to a depth of about two meters despite heavy rain overnight, but had yet to locate the suspected leak. The 32-year-old pipeline operates at 40 bar and carries several petroleum products to oil depots and other destinations, including airports and Ayutthaya province. Inspection work is continuing along the pipeline route toward the railway line.
Authorities are maintaining strict safety precautions, including the use of firefighting foam to suppress flammable vapors and hourly measurements of the Lower Explosive Limit. Access to the work site is restricted, smoking and activities that could produce sparks are prohibited, and the incident command center has been relocated farther from the pipeline. The immediate area includes 10 commercial shophouse units with 31 households and 93 residents. Eight people have requested temporary relocation, 10 are considering it, and 75 have chosen to remain, with a private oil company covering accommodation costs for those who relocate. (NNT)
