PTTGC oil spill reaches Ban Phe Beach; tourist operators meet

[TheGhostWithin]

Love to see the "red army" out cleaning this one up, along with their yellow cousins.. Yingluck in her red gumboots and Sondhi in his sandals.. doing something positive for all Thai people for once - preserving their eco system, preserving their financial stability by keeping tourists coming.

I know there will probably be one leader standing by to help, and probably doing his fair share as he did in the floods. I will always admire Abhisit for what he did during the floods - perhaps other leaders (including Pladprasop, Dr. Weng and Chalerm) would gain some points with the public by spending whole days out cleaning up and bringing as many people with them as they can - not just for photo ops.

Come on leaders of Thailand, inspire the people and show them how it is done - then kick the backside of PTT (Petrol Throughout Thailand?) in the courts, even if the Govt is a big supporter of the company. Maybe a forced cut in all safety staff salaries for a period until the cost of the clean up is repaid would do the trick? Just a thought.

[nakhonandy]

As usual, too little too late.

Emergency procedures should have been in place.

maybe they were for 50kL which this clearly isn't, much much more.

If it gets to the beach you are way too late.

Another serious problem for the gulf ecosystem.

By the way fisherman and hotels (large) contribute to the environmental damage daily, <deleted> should they be compensated?

[nakhonandy]

CAMPAIGN FOR SAMET ISLAND

Appeal for hair to soak up spill

The Nation

KOH SAMET: -- Concerned residents have pitched in to clear up the oil spill at Samet Island and are now campaigning for donations of hair to soak up the spill.

The call was spread over social networks including Facebook and Twitter for barbershops and beauty salons to donate the hair.

The hair would be stuffed into nylon stockings to form a "hair boom" and placed in areas of the spill to soak it up.

It is reported that each pound of hair is capable of absorbing as much as a gallon of oil. Wool, animal hair and fur coats could be used for the purpose.

The campaign also calls on people to visit the affected sites to help clean up the spill.

-- The Nation 2013-07-30

Just read this.

You couldn't make this BS up could you?

[Tatsujin]

CAMPAIGN FOR SAMET ISLAND

Appeal for hair to soak up spill

The Nation

KOH SAMET: -- Concerned residents have pitched in to clear up the oil spill at Samet Island and are now campaigning for donations of hair to soak up the spill.

The call was spread over social networks including Facebook and Twitter for barbershops and beauty salons to donate the hair.

The hair would be stuffed into nylon stockings to form a "hair boom" and placed in areas of the spill to soak it up.

It is reported that each pound of hair is capable of absorbing as much as a gallon of oil. Wool, animal hair and fur coats could be used for the purpose.

The campaign also calls on people to visit the affected sites to help clean up the spill.

-- The Nation 2013-07-30

Just read this.

You couldn't make this BS up could you?

Although it sounds bizarre, it is a good way to soak up oil apparently: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/magazine/8674539.stm

[NCC1701A]

it will never be the same.

[webfact]

Scandinavians hope Thai oil spill will not reach them
BY GREGERS MØLLER

RAYONG: -- Scandinavians along the coast of Rayong province in Thailand hope not to be affected by the oil spill in the Gulf of Thailand which since Sunday has devastated the west coast of the vacation island Koh Samet.

The largest concentration of Scandinavians along the coast in danger of polution stay at Mae Phim Beach, where Logans Thailand has a popular beach front condominium.

“According to our sources, we expect to go free,” says Sales and Marketing Director Pasi Marjamaki.

“We consult a local oil expert who has access to all information and according to him, Mae Phim Beach should not be affected – but you never know,” he adds.

“We have currently only 100 guests staying – that is not so many, but that is because it is low season. In the high season, we can be 1000 guests,” says Pasi Marjamaki who believes many of the guests have not even heard about the oil spill yet.

“You know when you are on vacation – who wants to sit and follow the news?”

The official Thai news agency reported Tuesday that the oil slick had washed into Ban Phe beach only 50 kilometers from Mae Phim Beach. This is where Glennasia – another Scandinavian condominium project is located – but ScandAsia has not been able to reach any residents there.

The oil slick began Saturday morning when about 50 tonnes (50,000 litres) of crude oil leaked from a pipeline, spilling into the sea off Rayong, some 20 kilometres southeast of the Map Ta Phut industrial estate.

The crude oil slipped from the booms due to the strong winds and waves then washed up to the shore at Samet island Sunday night.

Many tourists have cancelled or postponed planned trips to Samet island.

Source: http://scandasia.com/scandinavians-hope-thai-oil-spill-will-not-reach-them/

-- ScandAsia 2013-07-30

[Thai at Heart]

Stand by for Sorayuth's 20 episode story about a saved pelican.

They had 5 fish in a bucket on TV this morning on a revolving loop of about 10 minutes..

[nakhonandy]

 

CAMPAIGN FOR SAMET ISLAND

Appeal for hair to soak up spill

The Nation

KOH SAMET: -- Concerned residents have pitched in to clear up the oil spill at Samet Island and are now campaigning for donations of hair to soak up the spill.

The call was spread over social networks including Facebook and Twitter for barbershops and beauty salons to donate the hair.

The hair would be stuffed into nylon stockings to form a "hair boom" and placed in areas of the spill to soak it up.

It is reported that each pound of hair is capable of absorbing as much as a gallon of oil. Wool, animal hair and fur coats could be used for the purpose.

The campaign also calls on people to visit the affected sites to help clean up the spill.

-- The Nation 2013-07-30

Just read this.

You couldn't make this BS up could you?

Although it sounds bizarre, it is a good way to soak up oil apparently: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/magazine/8674539.stm

 

Agree, my point was

a) the quantity it can absorb

the quantity of hair required

c) time needed to implement this

PTT should be doing this, correction should have already done this.

Not relying on goodwill from the people.

[Thai at Heart]

CAMPAIGN FOR SAMET ISLAND

Appeal for hair to soak up spill

The Nation

KOH SAMET: -- Concerned residents have pitched in to clear up the oil spill at Samet Island and are now campaigning for donations of hair to soak up the spill.

The call was spread over social networks including Facebook and Twitter for barbershops and beauty salons to donate the hair.

The hair would be stuffed into nylon stockings to form a "hair boom" and placed in areas of the spill to soak it up.

It is reported that each pound of hair is capable of absorbing as much as a gallon of oil. Wool, animal hair and fur coats could be used for the purpose.

The campaign also calls on people to visit the affected sites to help clean up the spill.

-- The Nation 2013-07-30

Just read this.

You couldn't make this BS up could you?

Although it sounds bizarre, it is a good way to soak up oil apparently: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/magazine/8674539.stm

Wool is outstanding. Just need to find one million sheep with fleeces pretty quick.

[lostmebike]

When are we going to see some officials or even BIB standing on the beach or on a boat, surrounded by flashing cameras,pointing their fingers? Surely no event should pass without a photo op? Thailand, the HUB of Photo Ops

In all seriousness, a terrible event regardless of the circumstances. Me thinks the emphasise should be on the coastline and marine life rather than extracting money from tourists though.

[hands22]

Oh dear me. I have booked to stay at Rayong Resort in Baan Phe in 2 weeks' time. I hope things will get better soon.

[lostmebike]

 

CAMPAIGN FOR SAMET ISLAND

Appeal for hair to soak up spill

The Nation

KOH SAMET: -- Concerned residents have pitched in to clear up the oil spill at Samet Island and are now campaigning for donations of hair to soak up the spill.

The call was spread over social networks including Facebook and Twitter for barbershops and beauty salons to donate the hair.

The hair would be stuffed into nylon stockings to form a "hair boom" and placed in areas of the spill to soak it up.

It is reported that each pound of hair is capable of absorbing as much as a gallon of oil. Wool, animal hair and fur coats could be used for the purpose.

The campaign also calls on people to visit the affected sites to help clean up the spill.

-- The Nation 2013-07-30

Just read this.

You couldn't make this BS up could you?

Although it sounds bizarre, it is a good way to soak up oil apparently: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/magazine/8674539.stm

 

Agree, my point was

a) the quantity it can absorb

the quantity of hair required

c) time needed to implement this

PTT should be doing this, correction should have already done this.

Not relying on goodwill from the people.

But as with most Thai's, they are probably only concerned with counting money.

[Tatsujin]

 

CAMPAIGN FOR SAMET ISLAND

Appeal for hair to soak up spill

The Nation

KOH SAMET: -- Concerned residents have pitched in to clear up the oil spill at Samet Island and are now campaigning for donations of hair to soak up the spill.

The call was spread over social networks including Facebook and Twitter for barbershops and beauty salons to donate the hair.

The hair would be stuffed into nylon stockings to form a "hair boom" and placed in areas of the spill to soak it up.

It is reported that each pound of hair is capable of absorbing as much as a gallon of oil. Wool, animal hair and fur coats could be used for the purpose.

The campaign also calls on people to visit the affected sites to help clean up the spill.

-- The Nation 2013-07-30

Just read this.

You couldn't make this BS up could you?

Although it sounds bizarre, it is a good way to soak up oil apparently: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/magazine/8674539.stm

 

Agree, my point was

a) the quantity it can absorb

the quantity of hair required

c) time needed to implement this

PTT should be doing this, correction should have already done this.

Not relying on goodwill from the people.

Agreed, there should already be plans in place for this, but it's the same the world over. Not sure how accurate it is, but:

And in the first Iraq war in 1991, when retreating Iraqi soldiers released million tonnes of oil into the Persian Gulf, New Zealand sent booms filled with sheep's wool that could soak up 40 times their weight in oil to help with the clean-up.

[bander]

And the Thai's keep on doing what they are best in....lying about the amount of spilled oil.

Saving the face again are we?

Don't tell the truth Mr. Somsak or what ever your name is, (maybe cleaning up the mess would be more easy if they know how many liters of oil they have to deal with)

[bander]

When are we going to see some officials or even BIB standing on the beach or on a boat, surrounded by flashing cameras,pointing their fingers? Surely no event should pass without a photo op? Thailand, the HUB of Photo Ops alt=biggrin.png width=20 height=20>

In all seriousness, a terrible event regardless of the circumstances. Me thinks the emphasise should be on the coastline and marine life rather than extracting money from tourists though.

I'm surprised the government don't ask for financial support from the world to collecting the spilled oil, seems like the company behind the disaster don't give a shit

[lostmebike]

@ Bander

Agreed. It may be my ignorance but PTT do seem remarkably quiet don't they?

[kannot]

CAMPAIGN FOR SAMET ISLAND

Appeal for hair to soak up spill

The Nation

KOH SAMET: -- Concerned residents have pitched in to clear up the oil spill at Samet Island and are now campaigning for donations of hair to soak up the spill.

The call was spread over social networks including Facebook and Twitter for barbershops and beauty salons to donate the hair.

The hair would be stuffed into nylon stockings to form a "hair boom" and placed in areas of the spill to soak it up.

It is reported that each pound of hair is capable of absorbing as much as a gallon of oil. Wool, animal hair and fur coats could be used for the purpose.

The campaign also calls on people to visit the affected sites to help clean up the spill.

-- The Nation 2013-07-30

Wont all that hair get stuck in the boat propellers and rice??

Why dont they use their brains to mop it up?? they seem to be empty like a sponge and full of air, that should do it?

[lostmebike]

CAMPAIGN FOR SAMET ISLAND

Appeal for hair to soak up spill

The Nation

KOH SAMET: -- Concerned residents have pitched in to clear up the oil spill at Samet Island and are now campaigning for donations of hair to soak up the spill.

The call was spread over social networks including Facebook and Twitter for barbershops and beauty salons to donate the hair.

The hair would be stuffed into nylon stockings to form a "hair boom" and placed in areas of the spill to soak it up.

It is reported that each pound of hair is capable of absorbing as much as a gallon of oil. Wool, animal hair and fur coats could be used for the purpose.

The campaign also calls on people to visit the affected sites to help clean up the spill.

-- The Nation 2013-07-30

Wont all that hair get stuck in the boat propellers and rice??

Why dont they use their brains to mop it up?? they seem to be empty like a sponge and full of air, that should do it?

This story from The Nation really does seem to sum up the attitude of PTT.

So let everyone else try and clean up after PTT's error. They are obviously too busy shipping more gasohol and diesel to their thousands of stations up and down the country. Why should they break from the importance of making money when there are millions of tourists around the area that can stitch stockings together and fill them with hair donated from salons???

What a load of sh*te, get real and take some responsibility!

[BrianCR]

Koh Samet is 13km2, the slick is at least the same size if not bigger and at least 2mm thick? that is a lot of litres.

Using these numbers then a 15 square kilometres slick at 2mm thick would be some 30,000 cubic metres which is some 30,000,000 litres. Quiet a difference from the supposed 50,000 litres spilled claim

Hope those back of envelope numbers are aright

If however oil was only 1mm and only dispersed over 30% of the area in balck.. i.e oil doesnt cover the entire area then the magnitude of the spill would be 4500 cubic metres or 4,500,000 litres .

From size of spill it might appeaer that PTT are being economical with truth as to number of litres that actually escaped.

As it appears that PTT are being economical with truth as to number of litres does any poster think that now is the time to fill the car up? Maybe they'll be economical with truth as to number of litres pumped so, saving us all money! Edited July 30, 2013 by BrianCR

[yougivemebaby]

CAMPAIGN FOR SAMET ISLAND

Appeal for hair to soak up spill

The Nation

KOH SAMET: -- Concerned residents have pitched in to clear up the oil spill at Samet Island and are now campaigning for donations of hair to soak up the spill.

The call was spread over social networks including Facebook and Twitter for barbershops and beauty salons to donate the hair.

The hair would be stuffed into nylon stockings to form a "hair boom" and placed in areas of the spill to soak it up.

It is reported that each pound of hair is capable of absorbing as much as a gallon of oil. Wool, animal hair and fur coats could be used for the purpose.

The campaign also calls on people to visit the affected sites to help clean up the spill.

-- The Nation 2013-07-30

Just read this.

You couldn't make this BS up could you?

Although it sounds bizarre, it is a good way to soak up oil apparently: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/magazine/8674539.stm

Wool is outstanding. Just need to find one million sheep with fleeces pretty quick.

How about people go to the area and volunteer by start digging out the toxic sand... I'm sure their hair will fall out then they can use it for a Boom.

[bangkokheat]

oh goody, 100,000,000 baht in compensation, i wonder how many "slick" money grabbers will be involved, i would hazard a guess that not much will end up in the appropriate hands

[bangkokheat]

looks like they are utilising a "crude" clean up method, such slick operators

[Doc46]

It is time PTT came clean with how much oil was spilled, and tell us what they are going to do about it besides getting the army to help clear up.

Come on now,they don't know how much of this <deleted> they spilled unless they have a metering devise on there pipeline (and they have) then they would know exaclty,but they would not tell anyone anyway.

[amykat]

The President of PTT was just interviewed on CNN ....he said the cleanup would be finished by TOMORROW!!!

[lostmebike]

You just gotta love it!

The President of PTT was just interviewed on CNN ....he said the cleanup would be finished by TOMORROW!!!

[Katipo]

The President of PTT was just interviewed on CNN ....he said the cleanup would be finished by TOMORROW!!!

If that is what was said, then I think we can confidently call him a liar without risk of being sued.

[drdoom6996]

It is time PTT came clean with how much oil was spilled, and tell us what they are going to do about it besides getting the army to help clear up.

It is probable that they don't know. It is possible that when they noticed the spill they were able to stop the flow. However when did the spill start. There are 3 things necessary for an oil spill, water, oil, and Daylight.

[Traveling Sailor]

Pipelines do not just spring leaks! Root cause is likely an anchor dragged across the pipeline from a ship anchored near a restricted zone where the pipeline route is. The wind has been very strong these past few weeks offshore and if the pipeline is not buried, I'm not surprised. I am surprised the pipeline is not buried like they are around Samui?

There are radar surveillance systems designed to watch for just this type of incident. ConocoPhillips paid for such a system putting radar stations into Singapore, Batam and Bintan after installing the West Natuna Gas Pipeline that goes from the Natuna Sea to Jurong Island in Singapore. They also buried the pipeline in the shipping lane to 10m deep below the seabed.

10m is very deep and not the industry standard, but the PSA in Singapore paid RJ Brown to conduct an anchor drop and drag study about 30 years ago and concluded that with the type of seabed in Singapore, 10m depth, top of pipe was required.

Hope PTT has used the same diligence and there is some better reason than an anchor drag for this.

Hope? You've got to be kidding. This is Thailand. Businesses here have no legal need to do any of the above. If there are rules, which I doubt, they are not enforced and businesses know it. So, they don't do any of the above. Not in Thailand.

[drdoom6996]

The President of PTT was just interviewed on CNN ....he said the cleanup would be finished by TOMORROW!!!

Wishful thinking, never happen!

[cloghead]

Pipelines do not just spring leaks! Root cause is likely an anchor dragged across the pipeline from a ship anchored near a restricted zone where the pipeline route is. The wind has been very strong these past few weeks offshore and if the pipeline is not buried, I'm not surprised. I am surprised the pipeline is not buried like they are around Samui?

There are radar surveillance systems designed to watch for just this type of incident. ConocoPhillips paid for such a system putting radar stations into Singapore, Batam and Bintan after installing the West Natuna Gas Pipeline that goes from the Natuna Sea to Jurong Island in Singapore. They also buried the pipeline in the shipping lane to 10m deep below the seabed.

10m is very deep and not the industry standard, but the PSA in Singapore paid RJ Brown to conduct an anchor drop and drag study about 30 years ago and concluded that with the type of seabed in Singapore, 10m depth, top of pipe was required.

Hope PTT has used the same diligence and there is some better reason than an anchor drag for this.

I wonder if the damaged PL is one of the 36" trunk lines from Erawan field or a smaller feeder line? Either way...better have some big old Plidco clamps, airlifts and water jets--(short-term fix)

Do you know which company is checking it out? Mermaid?

edit: My bad Those large trunklines are handling gas. Maybe the damaged PL is from the Chevron oilfields--Maliwan, Tantawan and Benchamas...

Edited July 30, 2013 by cloghead