Rayong oil spill: Social media users furious

[webfact]

RAYONG'S OIL SPILL
Social media users furious
Asina Pornwasin
The Nation



Thousands join the "RIP Koh Samet" Facebook campaign; people urged to donate hair

KOH SAMET: -- SOCIAL MEDIA are buzzing with comments sympathising with residents of Koh Samet and attacking PTT Global Chemical Plc (PTTGC) for being socially irresponsible.

Komatra Chuengsatiansup, director of the Public Health Ministry's Society and Health Institute, changed his cover photo on Facebook to black with the message: "RIP Koh Samet and mourn PTT's lack of social responsibility" in response to the oil slick that washed onto the island's Ao Phrao beach on Sunday night.

Mana Treelayapewat, associate dean of Communications Arts at the University of the Thai Chamber of Commerce, said he too opted for a black cover photo on his Facebook page because he was disheartened by PTTGC's handling of the oil spill. He added that PTTGC's emergency response to the situation was not good enough.

"Nature is destroyed by development if there is no secure prevention plan or actions to thoroughly address a situation like this. Usually, the authorities and businesses focus on development without caring about preserving nature for our children," he said.

Also, PTTGC's mismanagement of the oil leak crisis shows that its sustainability programmes are not sincere, he said.

"The company spends a lot of money on its social responsibility programmes, but in reality the firm does not really care. It should be using money to conserve nature instead of promoting its own image," Mana said.

He added that he had asked his social-network buddies to become part of the "RIP Koh Samet" campaign and voice their dissatisfaction with PTTGC's indifference. A lot of Facebook users have already joined the campaign.

Suthathorn Sutthison, an e-business and e-marketing consultant, said on his Facebook page that this oil spill was clear proof that sustainability schemes launched by oil firms are only a marketing gimmick. "Social responsibility is a tough job," he said.

Many people have also launched a campaign asking for people to donate their hair to help absorb the oil. Those who wish to join the clean-up operation can gather at Mae Pim Beach today, while those who cannot are being urged to find as much human hair as possible.


-- The Nation 2013-07-31

[dudu]

They are asking Thais to donate hair? easier asking them for money, on a high note,its good to see that some people do care about Thailand and its mismanagement in many areas....

[notmyself]

One would hope that the government will consider itself lucky it was only 50 tonnes and put into place better measures before there is a big one. Doubt it.

Edited July 30, 2013 by notmyself

[Katipo]

I wonder how many distasters like this it will take to truly bring about change?

[bigbamboo]

What a wonderful opportunity for Khun Yingluck to prove her true love of Thailand by donating her own hair to the cause.

She's getting on a bit for the student look and would probably look good with a crop anyway.

[robblok]

Let all the ones high up in PTP shave their head for the hair donation massive loss of face they might learn something from it.

[ratcatcher]

What a wonderful opportunity for Khun Yingluck to prove her true love of Thailand by donating her own hair to the cause.

She's getting on a bit for the student look and would probably look good with a crop anyway.

Did you mean this kind of crop?

In which case, I am sure she would.

[harryfrompattaya]

I known I am going to get in trouble for this buy how many of you shall donate your hair like the misses and I did yesterday.

Please give

[robblok]

I known I am going to get in trouble for this buy how many of you shall donate your hair like the misses and I did yesterday.

Please give

If they are smart they just visit some barber shops, I am going to visit one and get my hair cut tomorrow. I wonder if they have thought of that one, i hope so because its not a hard thing to do.

[slapout]

This is not like a whiskey hangover, the hair of the dog will not solve the problem.One Deputy PM in Africa asking for international governments help, the PM instrusting other Ministries to solve the problem (Tourism for gods sake) figuring out a bill to present, PTT who is saying it will be cleaned up by today etc.

The question of who is the most incompentent, inexperienced, and clueless in any systematic approach to a solution, PTT or government. What is a not too uncommon accident in the oil sector, has been shown by this incident that there was virtually no plan in place, authority to get equipment on site to handle a spill, and apparently no individual/task force in charge to handle what is a relative, small spill.

[trainman34014]

I wonder how many distasters like this it will take to truly bring about change?

It's not about how many; it's about the size and impact. Something like the BP Gulf of Mexico would get some things brought into sharp focus but anything less than that and it will be 'mai pen rai'. Neither the Government or large companies in Thailand give a rats arse about either the people or the environment. Money is all that matters.

[jamhar]

People may be furious,

but I doubt they are willing to pay more at the pump to fix it.

[samuibruno]

Money is all that matters

this is a global thinking scenario , not just thailand

the whole world need to think sustainable , for the world to survive long term

[CrisRMenumate]

People may be furious,

but I doubt they are willing to pay more at the pump to fix it.

and of course the PTB ask all affected not to sue PTT as PTT has already accepted responsibility, just negotiate with them for settlement to save time and effort.... in other words... lets just sweep this under the rug as quickly and quietly as possible, we wouldn't want the good people of LOS starting to know the truth or knowing they have rights to take action against the mighty PTT and Government for destroying the wonders of LOS, would we?

[Suffinator]

Eco-responsibility... it's most company's PR job to spin a good yarn.

Oil Spill Devastates Koh Samet Beach Thailand

[sandrabbit]

'KOH SAMET: -- SOCIAL MEDIA are buzzing with comments sympathising with residents of Koh Samet and attacking PTT Global Chemical Plc (PTTGC) for being socially irresponsible.'

Are these the same people who come here for a weekend and leave the beach absolutely strewn in rubbish not caring if somebody cleans it up?.

'Those who wish to join the clean-up operation can gather at Mae Pim Beach today, while those who cannot are being urged to find as much human hair as possible.'

So they're going to travel 35km to Ban Phe then get the ferry to Samet?.

[thhMan]

This is Karma in action... You reap what you sow...

I for one have as much respect for the Thais as they have for me.... However, the country is a different matter and I will be here to do the best I can for it.... Just not the people.

[belg]

my wife told me yesterday about donation of hair

and i said <deleted>...i did not hear anything about this on TV

[nosatisfaction]

I known I am going to get in trouble for this buy how many of you shall donate your hair like the misses and I did yesterday.

Please give

If they are smart they just visit some barber shops, I am going to visit one and get my hair cut tomorrow. I wonder if they have thought of that one, i hope so because its not a hard thing to do.

another option would be to become novice monk for a period and do 2 good things in one.

[nosatisfaction]

my wife told me yesterday about donation of hair

and i said <deleted>...i did not hear anything about this on TV

2 options there: either you don't understand Thai, this was not meant in a negative way, or your hair is to long and obstructs your auditive capacitys.

There is a solution for both, but it looks to me curing the second problem is also helping to save the world

ps I couldn't find an emoticon with a beer, so I put the one with coffee.

[Doc46]

'KOH SAMET: -- SOCIAL MEDIA are buzzing with comments sympathising with residents of Koh Samet and attacking PTT Global Chemical Plc (PTTGC) for being socially irresponsible.'

Are these the same people who come here for a weekend and leave the beach absolutely strewn in rubbish not caring if somebody cleans it up?.

'Those who wish to join the clean-up operation can gather at Mae Pim Beach today, while those who cannot are being urged to find as much human hair as possible.'

So they're going to travel 35km to Ban Phe then get the ferry to Samet?.

Does one need a work permit (for Farangs) or is this a special occasion ???????????

[nosatisfaction]

'KOH SAMET: -- SOCIAL MEDIA are buzzing with comments sympathising with residents of Koh Samet and attacking PTT Global Chemical Plc (PTTGC) for being socially irresponsible.'

Are these the same people who come here for a weekend and leave the beach absolutely strewn in rubbish not caring if somebody cleans it up?.

'Those who wish to join the clean-up operation can gather at Mae Pim Beach today, while those who cannot are being urged to find as much human hair as possible.'

So they're going to travel 35km to Ban Phe then get the ferry to Samet?.

indeed very sad happening, as for the reaction : the ones visiting the beach are the ones leaving it dirty, i don't AGREE. personnally when i go to the beach or park or something like that, I put the buts of my finished cigarette back in my pack. so maybe spend less time on media and go hairshop or even better go help clean up the mess

[sandrabbit]

'KOH SAMET: -- SOCIAL MEDIA are buzzing with comments sympathising with residents of Koh Samet and attacking PTT Global Chemical Plc (PTTGC) for being socially irresponsible.'

Are these the same people who come here for a weekend and leave the beach absolutely strewn in rubbish not caring if somebody cleans it up?.

'Those who wish to join the clean-up operation can gather at Mae Pim Beach today, while those who cannot are being urged to find as much human hair as possible.'

So they're going to travel 35km to Ban Phe then get the ferry to Samet?.

indeed very sad happening, as for the reaction : the ones visiting the beach are the ones leaving it dirty, i don't AGREE. personnally when i go to the beach or park or something like that, I put the buts of my finished cigarette back in my pack. so maybe spend less time on media and go hairshop or even better go help clean up the mess

There were 2 things I was making observations on, the Bangkok crowd who come on the weekends and leave their rubbish on the beach and commenting on social media about the pollution and also then why would volunteers meet at Laem Mae Phim 35km away, why not meet in Ban Phe where the ferry is?. Think you totally missed the point I was making, the hypocrisy of the Thais complaining about the oil slick yet throw their rubbish anywhere and yes you need a work permit to do volunteer work.

Edited July 31, 2013 by sandrabbit

[monkeycountry]

People may be furious,

but I doubt they are willing to pay more at the pump to fix it.

and of course the PTB ask all affected not to sue PTT as PTT has already accepted responsibility, just negotiate with them for settlement to save time and effort.... in other words... lets just sweep this under the rug as quickly and quietly as possible, we wouldn't want the good people of LOS starting to know the truth or knowing they have rights to take action against the mighty PTT and Government for destroying the wonders of LOS, would we?

you will find that many if not all business owners (hotels, restaurants, fishermen etc.) will prefer negotiating. Not because it takes years to sue, but because in court they will have to provide proof of their potential income, which will obviously include proof of their past income and that will be difficult for the many who cheat the revenue department, which most smaller hotels, restaurants and fishermen do. Ie. If your tax records from last year shows no or very little revenue, then why should the court believe this years revenue to be 10 or 20 times higher?

[Payboy]

What a wonderful opportunity for Khun Yingluck to prove her true love of Thailand by donating her own hair to the cause.

She's getting on a bit for the student look and would probably look good with a crop anyway.

crop.jpeg Did you mean this kind of crop?

In which case, I am sure she would.

I think he meant a Brazilian, with the World Cup coming up next year.

[tomyummer]

Is this like the thousand boats in the Chaophraya River to help push water out during he floods of 2011?

Donate hair??

How about rolling politicians and PTT officials in glue and bits of sponge and then hanging them overboard navy ships? That sounds like a better solution. They could even open their mouths to collect even more sludge!

[ratcatcher]

"Hair today, gone tomorrow!"

PTTGC

[Payboy]

I'm gonna contribute by coaxing a few stray pussies in the village to cough up some hairballs.

[patayayaya]

i woulda donated my hair if not for the shitty song.