Samui Residents Enraged By Ferry Smog

By Khaosod Online



SAMUI: -- Locals, business owners, and tourists on Samui Island have complained to the authorities about the pollution caused by the ferry ships around the piers of the popular resort island.

The said pier, run by Raja Ferry Company, operates ferries from Samui to Surat Thani Province′s Don Sak District in the mainland daily from 05.00-19.00.

According to the complaints, the ship engines have produced heavy smog, reeking the nearby area with unpleasant odour. The locals also alleged that residue of the ship petrol in the smog has tainted the laundry hung to dry by the locals along the houses in the vicinity.

Ms. Chalard Boonchan, 56, a bungalow owner, said the engine smog is so thick she can′t identify the ships clearly, especially when the ferries arrive and depart at the pier. She said she had complained to the company running the pier but no response was given.

After a number of locals and tourists reported about the issue, Mr. Wannapol Meedej, a local administrator, met with Mr. Piempridi Silpi, the manager of Raja Ferry′s technical department, in order to find a solution to the problems.

Mr. Piempridi said the company has been fixing the problems, and insisted that the engines of the ferries had been regularly maintained. Nevertheless, Mr. Piempridi assured Mr. Wannapol that he would inform the management of the company about the matter.

Mr. Wannapol said he has instructed relevant agencies to look into the complaints. "Samui is a tourist attraction selling nature," he said, "the tourists are supposed to be happy here. They shouldn′t have encountered the pollution problems".

Source: http://www.khaosod.co.th/en/view_newsonline.php?newsid=TVRNM09UVTVOek01TkE9PQ==

-- KHAOSOD English 2013-09-20

From http://www.brighthubengineering.com/marine-engines-machinery/66725-black-smoke-from-the-funnel-what-to-do/

Black Smoke from the funnel is a sign of poor maintenance and malfunction of the machinery. It is a serious issue as it violates Marpol 73/78 Annex VI and can lead to inspections and detention of the ship. In a ship with multiple machines the identification of the faulty unit is a difficult task.aesthetic

• slide 1 of 5

  The reasons black smoke is wrong are:

  1. It indicates that shipkeeping and maintenance is not proper and up to the mark.
  2. It indicates the lack of competency of the engineers.
  3. It is polluting.
  4. It increases the risk of an uptake fire.

  Marpol Annex VI has set standards for air pollution and the sulphur content of the exhaust gases. Back smoke indicates that the combustion is incorrect. It suggests a bad fuel efficiency and an increase in the fuel consumption.

My bet is worn injectors and/or crappy fuel

STOP complaining. Goto Bangkok as there is very little pollution there

Are Thais becoming the world's biggest whiners?? Here's a suggestion. Do something about it!! Insist that your politicians spend money on Thais rather than building their bank balances.

Raja ferries are that old & decrepit it's not funny. Just a few weeks ago one of them caught fire at the pier in Samui.

Maintenace - unknown in Thailand. Just run an equipment till it break down and then blame the manufacturer for bad quality.

From http://www.brighthubengineering.com/marine-engines-machinery/66725-black-smoke-from-the-funnel-what-to-do/

Black Smoke from the funnel is a sign of poor maintenance and malfunction of the machinery. It is a serious issue as it violates Marpol 73/78 Annex VI and can lead to inspections and detention of the ship. In a ship with multiple machines the identification of the faulty unit is a difficult task.aesthetic

• slide 1 of 5

  The reasons black smoke is wrong are:

  1. It indicates that shipkeeping and maintenance is not proper and up to the mark.
  2. It indicates the lack of competency of the engineers.
  3. It is polluting.
  4. It increases the risk of an uptake fire.

  Marpol Annex VI has set standards for air pollution and the sulphur content of the exhaust gases. Back smoke indicates that the combustion is incorrect. It suggests a bad fuel efficiency and an increase in the fuel consumption.

My bet is worn injectors and/or crappy fuel

they make their own bio-diesel in donsak maybe they have a look there also

And while they are at it, please check the engines on trucks, busses old cars and motorcycles too .......

There will be work for at least 2 to 3 years for the mechanics in Thailand

Maintenace - unknown in Thailand. Just run an equipment till it break down and then blame the manufacturer for bad quality.

Sad but true in most cases.

And while they are at it, please check the engines on trucks, busses old cars and motorcycles too .......

There will be work for at least 2 to 3 years for the mechanics in Thailand

Mechanics?

Where?

I'd have thought there were a number of far more pressing issues to be enraged about but there you go....

What about all those cars, trucks and busses - sometime I need to switch on my lights to see where I am...

Wait a bit more and it will sink !

What about all those cars, trucks and busses - sometime I need to switch on my lights to see where I am...

Obviously you have never been to Samui Buses? Ahhaaaaaaaaaaaa Bangkok.

Wait a bit more and it will sink !

Yes, that's why we are all on diets. They have even restricted the beer supply to the island.

Scouts honor.

Are Thais becoming the world's biggest whiners?? Here's a suggestion. Do something about it!! Insist that your politicians spend money on Thais rather than building their bank balances.

Well obviously the ones that are complaining are trying to do something about it otherwise they wouldn't be complaining to the responsible officials!! Man!!!

Just how old are these ferries? Late 18 hundreds??? Replace them with modern ferries with more environmentally friendly engines.

Just how old are these ferries? Late 18 hundreds??? Replace them with modern ferries with more environmentally friendly engines.

Are Thais becoming the world's biggest whiners?? Here's a suggestion. Do something about it!! Insist that your politicians spend money on Thais rather than building their bank balances.

Well obviously the ones that are complaining are trying to do something about it otherwise they wouldn't be complaining to the responsible officials!! Man!!!

Would love to believe that it could make a difference

Hmmm, complain about ferries yet drive around in cars and motorbikes spewing directly into the faces of other road users and no ones interested because its "Thai way.

This place never ceases to amaze

Raja ferry, neglecting and blatantly ignoring any customer service related issue since the 14 years that I live here.

Raja ferry, neglecting and blatantly ignoring any customer service related issue since the 14 years that I live here.

Exactly. Its all about the money just like everything else here and if there is a disaster the blame will be neatly thrown on some poor hapless soul, the news squashed and everything will go back to exactly how it was before.

Welcome to the 3rd world

Raja ferry, neglecting and blatantly ignoring any customer service related issue since the 14 years that I live here.

Exactly. Its all about the money just like everything else here and if there is a disaster the blame will be neatly thrown on some poor hapless soul, the news squashed and everything will go back to exactly how it was before.

Welcome to the 3rd world

At least it helps take your mind off the electricity problem Carmine.Thank God for little mercies.

From http://www.brighthubengineering.com/marine-engines-machinery/66725-black-smoke-from-the-funnel-what-to-do/

Black Smoke from the funnel is a sign of poor maintenance and malfunction of the machinery. It is a serious issue as it violates Marpol 73/78 Annex VI and can lead to inspections and detention of the ship. In a ship with multiple machines the identification of the faulty unit is a difficult task.aesthetic

• slide 1 of 5

  The reasons black smoke is wrong are:

  • It indicates that shipkeeping and maintenance is not proper and up to the mark.
  • It indicates the lack of competency of the engineers.
  • It is polluting.
  • It increases the risk of an uptake fire.
  Marpol Annex VI has set standards for air pollution and the sulphur content of the exhaust gases. Back smoke indicates that the combustion is incorrect. It suggests a bad fuel efficiency and an increase in the fuel consumption.

My bet is worn injectors and/or crappy fuel

My bet is apathy and incompetence.

Several months ago I met my Wife who was coming to Koh Samui by Raj Ferries. Not only was it an aging old rust bucket, spewing smoke and grit into the atmosphere, it was also listing a good 15 to 20 degrees to one side! I have advised her NEVER to use Raj again for her own safety. How about complaining about the amount of rubbish being burnt on the Island, which badly contaminates houses, the atmosphere and is highly carcinogenic for people/animals? And then there's.................., no time to go and have a cuppa and chill on this lovely Paradise Island.

Ms. Chalard Boonchan, 56, a bungalow owner, said the engine smog is so thick she can′t identify the ships clearly, especially when the ferries arrive and depart at the pier. She said she had complained to the company running the pier but no response was given.

As happens on the ring road when stuck behind a Construction lorry/Songthew/Fruit truck/Tour bus/Safari wagon MOT failure billowing like a Papal conclave!

Raja ferry, neglecting and blatantly ignoring any customer service related issue since the 14 years that I live here.

Exactly. Its all about the money just like everything else here and if there is a disaster the blame will be neatly thrown on some poor hapless soul, the news squashed and everything will go back to exactly how it was before.

Welcome to the 3rd world

Thanks for the welcome. Guess what...business is business anywhere in the world. It's always about the money. If you demand first world services...be prepared to pay first world prices and regulations. Or go to a first world country......and complain the about the prices.

Several months ago I met my Wife who was coming to Koh Samui by Raj Ferries. Not only was it an aging old rust bucket, spewing smoke and grit into the atmosphere, it was also listing a good 15 to 20 degrees to one side! I have advised her NEVER to use Raj again for her own safety. How about complaining about the amount of rubbish being burnt on the Island, which badly contaminates houses, the atmosphere and is highly carcinogenic for people/animals? And then there's.................., no time to go and have a cuppa and chill on this lovely Paradise Island.

Exactly.....its a balance between what you desire and what you have to put up with. Enjoy you life in your Paradise mate!!!!

Several times already I thought a Raja ferry was on fire seeing the ship from a distance.

When it came closer i saw all the smoke was coming from the exhaust.

Raja ferry, neglecting and blatantly ignoring any customer service related issue since the 14 years that I live here.

Exactly. Its all about the money just like everything else here and if there is a disaster the blame will be neatly thrown on some poor hapless soul, the news squashed and everything will go back to exactly how it was before.

Welcome to the 3rd world

Thanks for the welcome. Guess what...business is business anywhere in the world. It's always about the money. If you demand first world services...be prepared to pay first world prices and regulations. Or go to a first world country......and complain the about the prices.

Well thats so interesting considering 1st world prices are charged here left right and center for the privilege of 3rd world services.

Just for your info i have had the experience of living in a first world country so i do know what i'm talking about.

Enjoy your visit btw