Regulations Are Useless If They Are Not Enforced: Thai Editorial

[webfact]

EDITORIAL

Regulations are useless if they are not enforced

The Nation

The weekend explosion at Map Ta Phut Industrial Estate shows that safety concerns are still being taken too lightly by the govt and authorities

BANGKOK: -- The accident at Map Ta Phut Industrial Estate last weekend is unfortunate indeed. The explosion should have been preventable but it happened because of industries' carelessness and lax enforcement by the responsible authorities.

It is a shame that once again we have to raise the question of whether we really learn the lessons of such tragedies. There have been a series of chemical-related accidents at Map Ta Phut, and no doubt this latest one will not be the last.

Every time we see an incident like this, it receives strong public attention and is treated with great concern by officials and responsible agencies, who say they will strengthen supervision to prevent similar incidents from happening in the future. But after the accident fades from the news, industries and authorities become less and less enthusiastic and less stringent about observing rules and regulations, leading to more preventable incidents.

The fatal explosion and fire at the BST Elastomers' facility, a subsidiary of Bangkok Synthetics, in Rayong province, has killed 11 people and injured many others. It is especially unfortunate that it comes only a few years after a high-profile accident at the country's largest petrochemical complex in 2009, which later prompted local residents to file a petition with the Central Administrative Court. The petition asked the court to suspend 76 industrial projects in Map Ta Phut by citing these factories' failure to observe adequate safety standards.

This fresh incident will create more mistrust and bad feeling among local people, who already feel unsafe living in the neighbourhood. Legislation to create an independent body to oversee the environment and the problem of industrial pollution has yet to be launched. The authorities and industries on the site will have to demonstrate improved safety measures and procedures to prove that they can co-exist with local communities.

BST Elastomers is not the only facility prone to accident. Chemical leakage and other environmental pollution can happen at any time at any of the country's 3,000 factories. The government also acknowledges that in Map Ta Phut alone, there are around 65 factories where accidents could happen at any time, unless adequate prevention measure are put in place.

This issue has to be sorted out once and for all if the Thai government still wants to keep petrochemical complexes operating as a source of earning for the country. The failure to ensure safety will only turn public opinion further against the industries already at Map Ta Phut.

The recent decision by Japan to review its nuclear power plants after the devastating earthquake and tsunami in March last year should serve as an example. If the public feels that our safety regulations and procedures are not adequate, then it is imperative for the government and the responsible agencies to address the issue in a straightforward and sincere manner.

People will feel it is not worthwhile to maintain such sites if industries cannot coexist peacefully with local communities. People are certainly questioning whether the country is fully equipped to deal with the consequences that certain industrial operations can lead to.

Adequate safety preparation is not only limited to technological matters but also the legal infrastructure, the straightforward enforcement of the regulations and the conscience of investors and the public in general.

After all, pollution caused by industrial estates is of universal concern to all of us. Apart from the casualties on site, accidents can affect air quality, waterways and cause long-term health impact on local people. If this issue is not adequately addressed, it will turn public opinion against industries. Not every flaw can be remedied by money alone.

-- The Nation 2012-05-10

[mca]

I think The Nation is aiming for the " Most Blindingly Obvious Opinion Column Heading 2012" award.

Stay tuned for more earth shattering revelations such as " Drinking Industrial Drain Cleaner Is Bad For You" and "Exclusive - Trees Can't Fly"

Edited May 9, 2012 by mca

[WhizBang]

Tea money will always take precedence over enforcement in Thailand. In fact, I believe most laws/regulations are written to enhance the amount of tea money paid. Actual enforcement was never an option, unless, of course, you refuse to pay the tea money.

Amazing Thailand, indeed.

[Semper]

I think The Nation is aiming for the " Most Blindingly Obvious Opinion Column Heading 2012" award.

Stay tuned for more earth shattering revelations such as " Drinking Industrial Drain Cleaner Is Bad For You" and "Exclusive - Trees Can't Fly"

Some countries use 'Slippery When Wet' signs.

[Moruya]

I think The Nation is aiming for the " Most Blindingly Obvious Opinion Column Heading 2012" award.

Stay tuned for more earth shattering revelations such as " Drinking Industrial Drain Cleaner Is Bad For You" and "Exclusive - Trees Can't Fly"

Some countries use 'Slippery When Wet' signs.

Seen that tattood in a moy before.

[mca]

I think The Nation is aiming for the " Most Blindingly Obvious Opinion Column Heading 2012" award.

Stay tuned for more earth shattering revelations such as " Drinking Industrial Drain Cleaner Is Bad For You" and "Exclusive - Trees Can't Fly"

Some countries use 'Slippery When Wet' signs.

Seen that tattood in a moy before.

When'd you meet my granny?

[Thai at Heart]

Considering they haven't completely established "How" this happened, I would say this is a little premature.

I go with a pure mistake caused by lack of supervision over the holiday weekend, with work being carried out by junior staff with the boss absent. Someone doing some hot work, but some piping or a vessel hadn't been completely rendered inert or safe.

[sparebox2]

Try enforce the no prostitute law.

95% of BiB will have to take up a second job.

[spacebass]

At the most basic level if the Police (Driving about) and Immigration police (Shall we say getting an extension on marriage) do not enforce the statutory laws, in order to personally profit from their position what hope have you got?

Is the farang sophistication of this thread a bit overdone (or should I say misplaced?) ?

Either you have the rule of law or you do not. What do you believe the case to be in Thailand ?

Why do people keep asking about absolutes (i.e. what happens if?) ? They do not exist.

Edited May 10, 2012 by spacebass

[TheCure]

At the most basic level if the Police (Driving about) and Immigration police (Shall we say getting an extension on marriage) do not enforce the statutory laws, in order to personally profit from their position what hope have you got?

Is the farang sophistication of this thread a bit overdone (or should I say misplaced?) ?

Either you have the rule of law or you do not. What do you believe the case to be in Thailand ?

Why do people keep asking about absolutes (i.e. what happens if?) ? They do not exist.

There never was a rule of law in Thailand .

[maidu]

Years ago, there was a big announcement of a new law which said trucks carrying produce in Thailand would be inspected to see whether they used too much chemi (insecticide/herbicide). One truck going to Bkk was inspected, then no others. Typical. The result is, the all the fresh produce you eat is continuing to be sprayed heavily with chemi, year after year, with zero oversight.

[honcho]

of course all laws are just "guidelines" here in lieland. the lyrics from ian dury and the blockheads song blockheads possably could be re written with the words khun thai replacing blockheads..... the droopy eyes...the open mouths ..... hey why are we here????? sun and cheap living i guess...

[AngelofDeath]

What a way to state the obvious. What about hindsight is 20/20?

Edited May 10, 2012 by AngelofDeath