Koh Samet: 10% of oil slick left at Phrao Bay

[webfact]

10% of oil slick left at Phrao Bay
By English News



RAYONG, Aug 1 - The oil spill cleanup operation at Samet Island's Phrao Bay is progressing, with only 10% of the slick is left on the beach, and the Ministry of Tourism and Sports will meet tourism operators to discuss measures to revive tourist confidence.

The Phrao Bay beach, heavily affected by the oil leak from the PTT Global Chemical (PTTGC) offshore pipeline, was returning to normal this morning as most of the oil slick has been removed from the beach and the sea is a low tide.

However, the authorities feared that when the tide rises this afternoon, the sea water will wash the thick crude oil slick remaining on the rocks on the left side of the bay into the beach.

PTTGC President Baworn Vongsinudom said the company met with agencies concerned and proposed to using PTTGC , Marine Department and Royal Thai Navy vessels to clean the oil slick from the shoreline rocks as fast as possible.

He asserted there would be no use of chemical or biological substances to disperse the oil spill at the beach.

Meanwhile, Ministry of Tourism and Sports will meet tourism operators at Ko Samet to discuss measures to revive the island's tourism business and restore tourist confidence is visiting the popular tourist haven. (MCOT online news)


-- TNA 2013-08-01

[JetsetBkk]

0.000001% is too much. My mum scolded me when I was a kid for sitting on the sand at Hayling Island near Portsmouth and getting a spot of oil on my clothes.

Who wants to go to beach like the one above? Not for decades.

[HoudiniXLogic]

RIP Koh Samet tourism.

[impulse]

Geez. It happened 5 days ago. Give them a chance.

Or do you guys also leave the baseball game if your team is behind after the first inning?

[BrianCR]

Oil spills happen all over the World and with effort put in they all recover. I went and had a look yesterday at what is happening to Samet Island's Phrao Bay and believe me (or don't) the effort and timing would put many countries who have dealt with oil spills to shame! I would advise posters to ignore the negative comments made and see for yourselves.

[bigbamboo]

I'm sure they are doing their best but that is part of the problem.

As for reviving tourist confidence in Koh Samet that will be a tough ask.

Edited August 1, 2013 by bigbamboo

[impulse]

Serious request,

If I wanted to spend this weekend on Samet looking around at the mess (and supporting the local economy), what's the best < 3000 Baht hotel to book?

[paulward75]

Only one beach, Ao Phrao has been effected by the oil. Hat Saikeaw beach and all the other beaches in Samet remain unaffected. This true because I am here now to see it. Ao Phrao beach remains closed for cleaning and the oil spill isolated to this area in order to stop it spreading. They will open this beach and publicize the re-opening when it is safe and clean. Tourists can still visit the island and enjoy the sea and the beach. Much of the media have stated that there was a mass exodus of tourists. Many of the tourists I have spoken to are completely unaware of the situation on Ao Prao beach, they are more concerned about the weather and hoping the sun will shine tomorrow. My advice would be for tourists to come to Samet as normal and stay on Saikeaw beach or one of the bays on the eastern side and let them get on with the clean up. My advice to the media is stop over sensationalizing the story and instead state the current facts. The media talk about the effect on tourism and in fact they are the ones who are likely to have the biggest affect. I additionally urge members of thai Visa to stop making rediculous statements when they do not have current information or here to see what is actually happening.

LONG LIVE SAMET! Attached photo of Saikeaw Beach today

[paulward75]

Serious request,

If I wanted to spend this weekend on Samet looking around at the mess (and supporting the local economy), what's the best < 3000 Baht hotel to book?

They are not asking for volunteers because you need specialist equipment and expertise. Primarily for safety reasons. I asked them about this already.

However you can look at Ao Prao beach and see the progress. I think you will be surprised to see what they have achieved in just 5 days! Then you can spread the news that it's not all gloom and doom!

[impulse]

Serious request,

If I wanted to spend this weekend on Samet looking around at the mess (and supporting the local economy), what's the best < 3000 Baht hotel to book?

They are not asking for volunteers because you need specialist equipment and expertise. Primarily for safety reasons. I asked them about this already.

However you can look at Ao Prao beach and see the progress. I think you will be surprised to see what they have achieved in just 5 days! Then you can spread the news that it's not all gloom and doom!

Just want to paddle and look around. At 55+ years old, they'd have to assign 2-3 guys to watch for me passing out from the heat. Not a great help.

Full disclosure: I am in the offshore oil business so don't believe anything I post. Another reason I'd want to be completely anonymous if I do go.

Hotel suggestions?

Edited August 1, 2013 by impulse

[paulward75]

Serious request,

If I wanted to spend this weekend on Samet looking around at the mess (and supporting the local economy), what's the best < 3000 Baht hotel to book?

They are not asking for volunteers because you need specialist equipment and expertise. Primarily for safety reasons. I asked them about this already.

However you can look at Ao Prao beach and see the progress. I think you will be surprised to see what they have achieved in just 5 days! Then you can spread the news that it's not all gloom and doom!

Just want to look around. At 55+ years old, they'd have to assign 2-3 guys to watch for me passing out from the heat. Not a great help.

Full disclosure: I am in the offshore oil business so don't believe anything I post. Another reason I'd want to be completely anonymous if I do go.

Hotel suggestions?

You don't need to book anything because it is low season anyway. Suggest heading to Saikeaw beach and take your pick of hotels. Cheaper that way - can negotiate the price you want to pay. Saikeaw beach resort is at the upper end of the spectrum pricewise and also owned by the group that own Ao Prao resort so they will have upto date info. Might be doing them a favour too. If you want budget then moss man house in the village, is comfortable and 5 times cheaper. Can be found next to 7 11 near park entrance only 2 mins from Saikeaw beach. Have a great time ! Just remember it's rainy season! So u will get some rain at some point! Cheers

[impulse]

Any problems getting the truck out to the Island? I don't really need the truck, but it's a convenient way to carry the kayaks.

[jaffacake32]

I'm on samet at the moment, the east coast is all fine. Doubt you'll be able to get over to ao prao as they're keeping tourists out of that area. Can't bring a truck over as there's no car ferry just a regular boat or speed boat. Samed villa is a great place to stay and can get a lovely bungalow for less than 3k, also pretty easy to hire a kayak

Sent from my HTC Desire using Thaivisa Connect App

[paulward75]

Any problems getting the truck out to the Island? I don't really need the truck, but it's a convenient way to carry the kayaks.

There is no public car ferry to Samet. When they take vehicles across they put them on a boat with a crane etc and very expensive. If you really want to bring kayaks then you have to unload on the pier opposite 7 11 and bring them across on the ferry. Someone will help but you have to pay extra. It would be cheaper to hire the kayaks in Saikeaw beach. Saikeaw beach resort have them as do Sin Samut resort. The latter being cheaper to hire. As this sounds like your first trip I would just get there and do a reccy. Bear in mind the this time of year there a big waves and rip currents so don't go out far from the beach if you decide to go kayaking. All the best.

[paulward75]

I'm on samet at the moment, the east coast is all fine. Doubt you'll be able to get over to ao prao as they're keeping tourists out of that area. Can't bring a truck over as there's no car ferry just a regular boat or speed boat. Samed villa is a great place to stay and can get a lovely bungalow for less than 3k, also pretty easy to hire a kayak

Sent from my HTC Desire using Thaivisa Connect App

I agree Samed Villa is also a nice option. Just get to Samet and check out a few places!

[impulse]

Paul and Girluk, Thanks. Good info! I'll rent one. Sorry for one last question, where can I leave the truck if I catch the ferry? It's an old beater so I'm not worried about theft, and I don't mind paying for parking overnight.

Edited August 1, 2013 by impulse

[HerbalEd]

0.000001% is too much. My mum scolded me when I was a kid for sitting on the sand at Hayling Island near Portsmouth and getting a spot of oil on my clothes.

Who wants to go to beach like the one above? Not for decades.

Do you always assume the worst about everything?

[jaffacake32]

There's a police station opposite the pier, always used to leave mine in the car park at the back, no problems or there's a car park at the pier you can pay to use

Sent from my HTC Desire using Thaivisa Connect App

[BusyBee123]

0.000001% is too much. My mum scolded me when I was a kid for sitting on the sand at Hayling Island near Portsmouth and getting a spot of oil on my clothes.

Who wants to go to beach like the one above? Not for decades.

Do you always assume the worst about everything?

still scared of his mum

[monkeycountry]

0.000001% is too much. My mum scolded me when I was a kid for sitting on the sand at Hayling Island near Portsmouth and getting a spot of oil on my clothes.

Who wants to go to beach like the one above? Not for decades.

Based on the state of the few resorts on the tiny beach in question, I don't think there was alot of tourists on that beach to begin with.

[JetsetBkk]

0.000001% is too much. My mum scolded me when I was a kid for sitting on the sand at Hayling Island near Portsmouth and getting a spot of oil on my clothes.

Who wants to go to beach like the one above? Not for decades.

Do you always assume the worst about everything?

I hope for the best, but prepare for the worst.

So good luck, Koh Samet, but I won't be going there any time soon.

[GirlDrinkDrunk]

Paul and Girluk, Thanks. Good info! I'll rent one. Sorry for one last question, where can I leave the truck if I catch the ferry? It's an old beater so I'm not worried about theft, and I don't mind paying for parking overnight.

there is a lot near the pier, right on the waterfront. have left the car there a few times for over a week and many i know use it regularly with no problems, not expensive either though i dont remember the cost.

it has 24 hour security

[h90]

0.000001% is too much. My mum scolded me when I was a kid for sitting on the sand at Hayling Island near Portsmouth and getting a spot of oil on my clothes.

Who wants to go to beach like the one above? Not for decades.

Not decades....

[anotheruser]

Geez. It happened 5 days ago. Give them a chance.

Or do you guys also leave the baseball game if your team is behind after the first inning?

Sometimes the team is so bad you don't bother going to the game in the first place.

Anybody have any current pics of what it looks like now?

Edited August 1, 2013 by anotheruser

[Asiantravel]

Only one beach, Ao Phrao has been effected by the oil. Hat Saikeaw beach and all the other beaches in Samet remain unaffected. This true because I am here now to see it. Ao Phrao beach remains closed for cleaning and the oil spill isolated to this area in order to stop it spreading. They will open this beach and publicize the re-opening when it is safe and clean. Tourists can still visit the island and enjoy the sea and the beach. Much of the media have stated that there was a mass exodus of tourists. Many of the tourists I have spoken to are completely unaware of the situation on Ao Prao beach, they are more concerned about the weather and hoping the sun will shine tomorrow. My advice would be for tourists to come to Samet as normal and stay on Saikeaw beach or one of the bays on the eastern side and let them get on with the clean up. My advice to the media is stop over sensationalizing the story and instead state the current facts. The media talk about the effect on tourism and in fact they are the ones who are likely to have the biggest affect. I additionally urge members of thai Visa to stop making rediculous statements when they do not have current information or here to see what is actually happening.

LONG LIVE SAMET! Attached photo of Saikeaw Beach today

you accuse the media of “over sensationalizing the story “ but equally, some could interpret your contribution as an attempt to to downplay the seriousness of the situation?

Does anyone believe no harmful chemicals whatsoever have been used in this cleanup exercise? Personally, I would have more belief in unicorns

" However, PTTGC has insisted that the chemical it is using to disperse the oil spreading over the Gulf of Thailand is safe for the environment and complied with the Pollution Control Department regulations.

When asked to name the chemicals, PTTGC president Bowon Vongsinudom said he could not remember the exact name "

Edited August 1, 2013 by Asiantravel

[paulward75]

Only one beach, Ao Phrao has been effected by the oil. Hat Saikeaw beach and all the other beaches in Samet remain unaffected. This true because I am here now to see it. Ao Phrao beach remains closed for cleaning and the oil spill isolated to this area in order to stop it spreading. They will open this beach and publicize the re-opening when it is safe and clean. Tourists can still visit the island and enjoy the sea and the beach. Much of the media have stated that there was a mass exodus of tourists. Many of the tourists I have spoken to are completely unaware of the situation on Ao Prao beach, they are more concerned about the weather and hoping the sun will shine tomorrow. My advice would be for tourists to come to Samet as normal and stay on Saikeaw beach or one of the bays on the eastern side and let them get on with the clean up. My advice to the media is stop over sensationalizing the story and instead state the current facts. The media talk about the effect on tourism and in fact they are the ones who are likely to have the biggest affect. I additionally urge members of thai Visa to stop making rediculous statements when they do not have current information or here to see what is actually happening.

LONG LIVE SAMET! Attached photo of Saikeaw Beach today

you accuse the media of over sensationalizing the story but equally, some could interpret your contribution as an attempt to to downplay the seriousness of the situation?

Does anyone believe no harmful chemicals whatsoever have been used in this cleanup exercise? Personally, I would have more belief in unicorns

" However, PTTGC has insisted that the chemical it is using to disperse the oil spreading over the Gulf of Thailand is safe for the environment and complied with the Pollution Control Department regulations.

When asked to name the chemicals, PTTGC president Bowon Vongsinudom said he could not remember the exact name "

I assure I am not trying to downplay the situation on Ao Prao. It is devasting. I am only trying to point out that the majority of Samet island is unaffected. The other point I am making is that the media continue to show those terrible pictures on the first day when they refer to the disaster rather than showing the progress that has been achieved so far. The media seem to need to continue with a shocking headline and a shocking picture. Seems bad news sells rather than the facts and the progress actually being made. The reporting of most of the media seems to be recycling the story from the first couple of days.

There is lots of contradictory information about the chemicals being used. I agree they are dangerous, they are bound to be, but surely it's the lesser of two evils. I hink everyone agrees that the number one think is to clean it up. They are just using the methods that have been used in previous disasters. Those that are recommended by the experts. There will always be people who have differing opinions. Surely good reporting is about telling the facts and balancing opinions from both sides.

And you are right it is just my opinion being here.

[Asiantravel]

Only one beach, Ao Phrao has been effected by the oil. Hat Saikeaw beach and all the other beaches in Samet remain unaffected. This true because I am here now to see it. Ao Phrao beach remains closed for cleaning and the oil spill isolated to this area in order to stop it spreading. They will open this beach and publicize the re-opening when it is safe and clean. Tourists can still visit the island and enjoy the sea and the beach. Much of the media have stated that there was a mass exodus of tourists. Many of the tourists I have spoken to are completely unaware of the situation on Ao Prao beach, they are more concerned about the weather and hoping the sun will shine tomorrow. My advice would be for tourists to come to Samet as normal and stay on Saikeaw beach or one of the bays on the eastern side and let them get on with the clean up. My advice to the media is stop over sensationalizing the story and instead state the current facts. The media talk about the effect on tourism and in fact they are the ones who are likely to have the biggest affect. I additionally urge members of thai Visa to stop making rediculous statements when they do not have current information or here to see what is actually happening.

LONG LIVE SAMET! Attached photo of Saikeaw Beach today

you accuse the media of over sensationalizing the story but equally, some could interpret your contribution as an attempt to to downplay the seriousness of the situation?

Does anyone believe no harmful chemicals whatsoever have been used in this cleanup exercise? Personally, I would have more belief in unicorns

" However, PTTGC has insisted that the chemical it is using to disperse the oil spreading over the Gulf of Thailand is safe for the environment and complied with the Pollution Control Department regulations.

When asked to name the chemicals, PTTGC president Bowon Vongsinudom said he could not remember the exact name "

I assure I am not trying to downplay the situation on Ao Prao. It is devasting. I am only trying to point out that the majority of Samet island is unaffected. The other point I am making is that the media continue to show those terrible pictures on the first day when they refer to the disaster rather than showing the progress that has been achieved so far. The media seem to need to continue with a shocking headline and a shocking picture. Seems bad news sells rather than the facts and the progress actually being made. The reporting of most of the media seems to be recycling the story from the first couple of days.

There is lots of contradictory information about the chemicals being used. I agree they are dangerous, they are bound to be, but surely it's the lesser of two evils. I hink everyone agrees that the number one think is to clean it up. They are just using the methods that have been used in previous disasters. Those that are recommended by the experts. There will always be people who have differing opinions. Surely good reporting is about telling the facts and balancing opinions from both sides.

And you are right it is just my opinion being here.

all I can say is if we have at least learnt something from recent environmental disasters- it is -don't believe what the officials are telling you

One Thai academic believes the leak could up to twice the size of that admitted by PTT Global Chemical.

http://edition.cnn.com/2013/07/31/world/asia/thailand-oil-spill-beach

[paulward75]

Only one beach, Ao Phrao has been effected by the oil. Hat Saikeaw beach and all the other beaches in Samet remain unaffected. This true because I am here now to see it. Ao Phrao beach remains closed for cleaning and the oil spill isolated to this area in order to stop it spreading. They will open this beach and publicize the re-opening when it is safe and clean. Tourists can still visit the island and enjoy the sea and the beach. Much of the media have stated that there was a mass exodus of tourists. Many of the tourists I have spoken to are completely unaware of the situation on Ao Prao beach, they are more concerned about the weather and hoping the sun will shine tomorrow. My advice would be for tourists to come to Samet as normal and stay on Saikeaw beach or one of the bays on the eastern side and let them get on with the clean up. My advice to the media is stop over sensationalizing the story and instead state the current facts. The media talk about the effect on tourism and in fact they are the ones who are likely to have the biggest affect. I additionally urge members of thai Visa to stop making rediculous statements when they do not have current information or here to see what is actually happening.

LONG LIVE SAMET! Attached photo of Saikeaw Beach today

you accuse the media of over sensationalizing the story but equally, some could interpret your contribution as an attempt to to downplay the seriousness of the situation?

Does anyone believe no harmful chemicals whatsoever have been used in this cleanup exercise? Personally, I would have more belief in unicorns

" However, PTTGC has insisted that the chemical it is using to disperse the oil spreading over the Gulf of Thailand is safe for the environment and complied with the Pollution Control Department regulations.

When asked to name the chemicals, PTTGC president Bowon Vongsinudom said he could not remember the exact name "

I assure I am not trying to downplay the situation on Ao Prao. It is devasting. I am only trying to point out that the majority of Samet island is unaffected. The other point I am making is that the media continue to show those terrible pictures on the first day when they refer to the disaster rather than showing the progress that has been achieved so far. The media seem to need to continue with a shocking headline and a shocking picture. Seems bad news sells rather than the facts and the progress actually being made. The reporting of most of the media seems to be recycling the story from the first couple of days.

There is lots of contradictory information about the chemicals being used. I agree they are dangerous, they are bound to be, but surely it's the lesser of two evils. I hink everyone agrees that the number one think is to clean it up. They are just using the methods that have been used in previous disasters. Those that are recommended by the experts. There will always be people who have differing opinions. Surely good reporting is about telling the facts and balancing opinions from both sides.

And you are right it is just my opinion being here.

all I can say is if we have at least learnt something from recent environmental disasters- it is -don't believe what the officials are telling you

One Thai academic believes the leak could up to twice the size of that admitted by PTT Global Chemical.

http://edition.cnn.com/2013/07/31/world/asia/thailand-oil-spill-beach

.

Absolutely the officials are usually clueless and merely promoting their own agenda. But right now the scientists and experts are the ones doing the clean up not the media or the officials.

We are making the same point i think - don't believe them when they tell you something. Take a look with your own eyes and read between the lines. But I am sure we also agree that the best thing is to clean it up as quickly as possible with the least amount of impact on the environment and the local community, no matter what the financial cost is to those PTT shareholders!

[PoodMaiDai]

Only 10% left, yet they need foreign help.

Someone needs to get their story straight.