Bangkok Mandates Grease Traps for Eateries to Prevent Flooding

[webfact]

Picture courtesy of Wikipedia

 

Faced with recurring drainage issues, the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) is taking decisive action. All eateries in the capital are now required to install grease traps—an essential measure to enhance drainage before the heavy rains arrive.

 

Bangkok Governor Chadchart Sittipunt recently took to the bustling Talat Phlu Market to personally supervise sewer cleaning preparations. His visit underscores the city's proactive approach in tackling the water management challenges that face Bangkok during its intense rainy season.

 

Across the city, about 20,000 licensed dining establishments, including both settled restaurants and dynamic street vendors, are being asked to comply with this new requirement. The emphasis is on mutual cooperation between these businesses and the BMA to ensure smooth operations and clear drainage systems, vital for preventing blockages and subsequent waterlogging.

 

Compliance is not optional—and those failing to install grease traps may face severe penalties. Offenders can expect penalties of up to six months imprisonment or fines as hefty as THB 50,000. District offices are entrusted with oversight duties, especially during this critical three-month lead-in to the rainy season.

 

Recognising the infrastructure's existing limitations, the governor has also called upon the populace's active participation. Residents have been urged to utilise the BMA's Traffy Fondue complaints system to report non-compliant eateries, supporting the enforcement efforts by submitting photographic evidence.

"The presence of grease and fats in the sewers undermines cleaning efforts and exacerbates the risk of flooding," Governor Chadchart explained. "Solving these wastewater issues is imperative not only for avoiding clogs but also for mitigating foul odours and safeguarding public health."

 

Bangkok's vast network of approximately 6,924 kilometres of public sewers demands diligent management. A citywide cleaning drive aims to cover 3,800 kilometres before the rainy season begins, with over 1,500 kilometres currently cleared.

 

But the focus isn't solely on sewers. Clean-up initiatives extend to canals—a cornerstone of Bangkok’s water management system. Governor Chadchart emphasised attention to the city’s 23 canals in urgent need of maintenance. Crucially, residents are also reminded not to discard litter from boats or into canals and rivers, particularly the Chao Phraya River, further solidifying community engagement in preserving Bangkok's waterways.

 

This coordinated effort reflects a broader commitment to environmental care, urging Bangkokians to act responsibly to ensure smoother, safer waterways for all, reported Bangkok Post.

 

-- 2025-03-06

 

 

[PETERTHEEATER]

Good luck with the part-time roadside food sellers. The nearest drain is good enough for them. 

[Hardcastle P]

Grease yes but doesn't oil float on water,  not sure how this would stop oil not without a vertical baffel in the  center only allowing water to pass from one side to the other  below the surface. Something like a septic tank principle but hey ho.

 

[The Old Bull]

Good, a small step forward but they have to be cleaned out on a regular basis.

[dcsw53]

Are restaurants the problem ?
Not even in my grand children's lifetime will they stop the street vendors ( and many restaurants ) pouring their used oil and anything else straight into the nearest roadside drain.

[Naroge]

Grease traps are a great start. And what are the rules for how to dispose of the grease collected? I see nothing mentioned about this.

[0ffshore360]

Saponification is a worldwide waste water problem. Detergents don't "dissolve" fats.They  just transport them away but eventually breakdown and release the fats to accumulate and restricting drains.

There are videos demonstrating the problem on ytube.

Certainly there needs to be some attention to the street vendors dumping directly into the street drainage systems.

[digger70]

12 minutes ago, Naroge said:

Grease traps are a great start. And what are the rules for how to dispose of the grease collected? I see nothing mentioned about this.

No need , they Know where  to Dump that .🙏

[jcmj]

I don’t know why there aren’t any companies willing to pick up the grease and oil for recycling or repurposing it. That would definitely help more than a grease trap, but maybe they aren’t quite there yet with that recycling. 

[topt]

1 hour ago, jcmj said:

I don’t know why there aren’t any companies willing to pick up the grease and oil for recycling or repurposing it

I had assumed there must be until you wrote that - anybody know for sure?

 

Also what about the multiple 1000's or more of households that do the same.............

[GreasyFingers]

10 hours ago, webfact said:

. A citywide cleaning drive aims to cover 3,800 kilometres before the rainy season begins, with over 1,500 kilometres currently cleared.

A properly designed sewerage system is supposed to self cleansing. Hopefully Thailand will catch up one day when they install new systems throughout the cities and towns.

[MalcolmB]

6 minutes ago, GreasyFingers said:

properly designed sewerage system is supposed to self cleansing.

You would think with all the soap entering Bangkok drains that they would be sparkling clean 

[natway09]

Sewerage is easy to treat as it breaks down, not fat which as mentioned floats & coats to the sides of drains slowly end up blocking it.

For those that do not understand how a grease trap works suggest do some homework. They actually only work because fat & grease floats.

[hotchilli]

22 hours ago, webfact said:

Compliance is not optional—and those failing to install grease traps may face severe penalties. Offenders can expect penalties of up to six months imprisonment or fines as hefty as THB 50,000.

 

14 hours ago, Naroge said:

Grease traps are a great start. And what are the rules for how to dispose of the grease collected? I see nothing mentioned about this.

Landfill