Samut Prakan garbage site fire: Hundreds of families evacuated

[webfact]

PRAEKSA GARBAGE SITE FIRE
Hundreds of families evacuated following massive smog
The Nation



BANGKOK: -- Hundreds of families in nearby communities were evacuated to escape smog caused by a massive fire at a garbage disposal site in Samut Prakan.

Hundreds of families in Saensuk Cooperative housing estate and Thanyaporn housing estate left their houses after midnight and took a shelter at the Tambon Praeksa Administrative Organisation's building or at their relatives' homes.

About 30 families living near the Praeksa disposal site left their houses at about 1:56 am Monday.

The fire started at about noon on Sunday. More than 20 fire engines tried but failed to stop the fire so far. The massive blaze caused black smoke and smog in the air, affecting people living nearby.

Paithoon Maisarnklang, 51, the leader of Moo 4 Praeksa Community, said he had been evacuating residents of his community to stay at the Tambon Praeksa multi-purpose building, which has turned into an emergency shelter.

Pol Col Wichit Boonchinwutthikul, commander of Bang Pu police station, said police were planning how to extinguish the fire.

He said patrol police and rescue workers were also dispatched to help evacuate people living near the garbage disposal site.

Wichit admitted that it was difficult to control the blaze and it might take days to extinguish it.

Samut Prakan Governor Kanit Iamrahong has sought help from a private firm to send bulldozers to fight the fire.

The Tambon Praeksa Administrative Organization said it would recheck the license of the owner of the garbage disposal site.


-- The Nation 2014-03-17

[casualbiker]

That's not garbage disposal. That's just dumping .. no recycling. No clay land plug.. typically useless Thai attitude to environment.

Sent from my XT1032 using Thaivisa Connect Thailand mobile app

[newcomer71]

This morning at Bangkapi there was smoke and bothering smell, wind is bringing that s_it inside the city...

Better they move their a_ses to put off that fire as God only knows what the hell was dumped there...

[bkkjames]

I can see and smell it here on mid sukhumvit.

[khwaibah]

Kind of tough when you smell your own shyt.

[Luk Mhee]

The correct way of disposing garbage is to first have a layer of soil, then a layer of garbage, then a layer of soil, after compacting, the first layer, one starts the process all over again, this is to prevent the unwelcomed stench, and most of all to prevent fires starting from the fermenting garbage that has a tremendous heat build-up.

[fakename]

Does Thailand have fire departments? Why are the police involved, in planning on how to put out the fire? This should be the fire departments job. I guess if the army does the police work in BKK, then the police dont have much to do, so they play fireman!

[siampolee]

The problem is only just starting.

Fires of this nature in a rubbish tip tend to spread slowly and relentlessly for years.

Apart from actually exposing the seat of the fire to extinguish it which of course will then enable it grow into a fully fledged conflagration thus compounding the problem, there is little or nothing that can be done.

[Lite Beer]

Pollution inspection at Praeksa garbage disposal

Pollution Control officials inspected the smog caused by a massive fire at a garbage disposal site in Samut Prakan Monday.

-- The Nation 2014-03-17

[SamMunich]

FakeName asked:

Does Thailand have fire departments? Why are the police involved, in planning on how to put out the fire? This should be the fire departments job. I guess if the army does the police work in BKK, then the police dont have much to do, so they play fireman!

_____________________________________________________

The fire brigade comes under the police department. Also has to do with the salary issue. Else the fire brigade works like in any other country.

That garbage dump is mostly a recycling area, with different "companies" taking different kind of wast, like scrap, wooden stuff, paper, etc. Next to that is - no wonder - an area, where all the stuff is dumped, that none of these yards can use.

It is along a shortcut from Praek-Sa Road to Bang Poo Industrial Estate Soi 8B. Next to the garbage (and as smelly as well) are several fish restaurants, where you can catch your own fish in the pond of the restaurant. If any fish will be left alive after that fire and the poisoning of the area...

Could be, that the people working in Bang Poo get a day or two off. But then again, who cares for the health of these workers??? The new Benz has already been ordered and needs to be paid...

[VocalNeal]

Does Thailand have fire departments? Why are the police involved, in planning on how to put out the fire? This should be the fire departments job. I guess if the army does the police work in BKK, then the police dont have much to do, so they play fireman!

Typical cultural imperialist nonsense.

[Estrada]

Does Thailand have fire departments? Why are the police involved, in planning on how to put out the fire? This should be the fire departments job. I guess if the army does the police work in BKK, then the police dont have much to do, so they play fireman!

Typical cultural imperialist nonsense.

The police are involved because the fire brigade comes under the police department. Quite often you see the fire engines next to the police station such as Prakanong Police Station on Sukhumvit.

[lomatopo]

What a mess.

http://www.nationmultimedia.com/webmobile/national/Smoke-from-garbage-dump-fire-blankets-part-of-East-30229386.html

https://www.google.com/search?q=%E0%B9%84%E0%B8%9F%E0%B9%84%E0%B8%AB%E0%B8%A1%E0%B9%89+%E0%B8%81%E0%B8%AD%E0%B8%87%E0%B8%82%E0%B8%A2%E0%B8%B0+%E0%B8%AA%E0%B8%A1%E0%B8%B8%E0%B8%97%E0%B8%A3%E0%B8%9B%E0%B8%A3%E0%B8%B2%E0%B8%81%E0%B8%B2%E0%B8%A3&rlz=1C1_____enUS417US417&espv=210&es_sm=122&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ei=SMQmU5vnJ4SuiQf07oC4Cg&ved=0CAoQ_AUoAg&biw=1280&bih=699

[namdocmai]

That fireman on the pic is not even wearing a gasmask or anything. That's the real pro, he is used to that and mai pen rai.

First they could start with drinking tapwater. I do that for 5 years now (with a filter and UV-light) and have never been sick. Then the plastic bags could easy be replaced for paper bags or just shoppingbags. Oh well, why waste my time with tips like that..... Now they have to smell it themselves.

[ggt]

The correct way of disposing garbage is to first have a layer of soil, then a layer of garbage, then a layer of soil, after compacting, the first layer, one starts the process all over again, this is to prevent the unwelcomed stench, and most of all to prevent fires starting from the fermenting garbage that has a tremendous heat build-up.

When has the correct way of doing ANYTHING...been important here...?

[personchester]

That's not garbage disposal. That's just dumping .. no recycling. No clay land plug.. typically useless Thai attitude to environment.

Sent from my XT1032 using Thaivisa Connect Thailand mobile app

It is garbage, because garbage is a useless, worthless, and unwanted matter, and that is exactly what is happening.

Those activities are currently taking place in many regions, and the public are suffering health-wise as a result of those garbage activities .

[IsaanUSA]

nevermind

Edited March 17, 2014 by IsaanUSA

[webfact]

TOXIC POLLUTION
Thousands Evacuated
The Nation



Residents told to leave areas around burning Samut Prakan dump after toxic fumes detected

BANGKOK: -- PROVINCIAL OFFICIALS ordered the evacuation of residents from about 1,500 homes in Samut Prakan after a fire at a local garbage dump yesterday was declared a disaster area, and toxic fumes spread to many parts of the province and nearby areas in Bangkok.

Kanit Iamrahong, the governor of Samut Prakan, said yesterday that three communities closest to the dump, with 1,480 families, had been evacuated.

The governor declared Tambon Praeksa in Samut Prakan's Muang district, where the burning dump site is located, a disaster area.

Many of the people evacuated were sent to the Tambon Praeksa administrative organisation office.

The Pollution Control Department tested the air quality in areas around the burning dump and found harmful substances, such as sulphur dioxide, carbon monoxide and some carcinogenic chemicals.

Harmful to the respiratory system

Department director general Vichian Jungrungruang said that toxic fumes were harmful to the respiratory system and could cause eye irritations. And some of the gases caused by the fire could cause cancer.

He advised children, the elderly and people with heart disease or high blood pressure to avoid breathing in the toxic gases, warning that some were deadly.

His department would monitor the air quality in the affected areas and report the results to the public, the director-general said.

The agency yesterday urged people living within a 1.5km radius of the burning dump to move away from the area. Among the communities and housing estates nearby are Gallery, Natura, Sukhumvit-Praeksa, Baan Sawasdee, Supalai Ville, Panthiya, and Sap Thani.

The fire began at around noon on Sunday at the former dump in Bang Pu industrial estate. The site, covering an area of 150 rai, has been abandoned for more than 10 years, according to local authorities.

Firefighters managed to contain the fire after 12 hours but still failed to extinguish it. They said it would take at least three more days to completely put it out.

Kanit, the Samut Prakan governor, blamed strong winds for the spread of fire. He said a fire had occurred at the same site about five years ago.

The governor said the owner of the dump, who was not identified, had been charged with violating public health and environmental laws. He said officials would try to find out if the dump was illegally used after being abandoned for more than a decade.

Fumes from the fire affected at least five districts in the east of Bangkok - Bang Na, Prawet, Lat Krabang, Saphan Sung and Klong Sam Wa.

Residents and office workers in Bang Na, the Bangkok district closest to Samut Prakan, yesterday reported breathing difficulties as smoke from the fire spread. Many wore protective facial masks.

Advice for Bangkokians

Bangkok Metropolitan Administration officials worked with the Pollution Control Department yesterday to try to determine the size of affected areas, according to Somchai Chatsakunpen, deputy director of the BMA's Environment Department. He said teams were sent to different areas to advise residents to protect themselves from the fumes.

"People are advised to avoid an area with dense fumes. They should wear facial masks to cover their mouth and nose. It is advisable to avoid breathing in the smoke that is harmful to their health," he said.

Dr Piboon Issaraphan, a senior official from the Department of Disease Control, said that facial masks normally could protect against fine particles or dust, but not chemicals. He said it would be better for people living near the burning dump to move away for their safety. Those particularly at risk are people with heart diseases, asthma, expectant mothers, the elderly, and babies.

He said there were no reports yesterday of serious health cases caused by toxic fumes from the burning dump.

-- The Nation 2014-03-18

[webfact]

EVACUATION
Dump fire creates deadly smog; locals ordered out
PONGPHON SARNSAMAK
THE NATION



Sulphur Dioxide levels found to be five times higher; chronic patients at greatest risk

BANGKOK: -- RESIDENTS IN Tambon Praeksa in Samut Prakan were forced to rush to grab their belongings and flee after a massive fire broke out at a garbage dump near their homes.

Inspectors from the Pollution Control Department (PCD) had advised locals to evacuate after finding sulphur dioxide levels at five times higher than normal.

Smog caused by the huge fire at the garbage dump covered at least three housing estates near the site.

Local residents had to wear face-masks to avoid the worst of the pollution.

"This is the first time in my life that I have experienced a terrible incident like this," Kudan Boonnontae, 62, said.

After learning that a huge fire had broken out at the dump, she had to evacuate from her home and stay at the Praeksa Administrative Organisation building on Sunday night.

Another local resident, Suthep Montralak, 55, had gathered his belongings and took his family to stay at a relative's house.

"I cannot stay here. No one can breathe," he said.

Only a few cars were running on local roads. Many drivers had to turn on their car's front lights due to the low visibility.

Dozens of ambulances were transferring residents suffering from chronic diseases for treatment at nearby hospitals, while fire engines were deployed to stop the fire.

Samut Prakan Governor Kanit Iamrahong said people living in three housing estates within a 500-metre radius from the burning dump had been advised to evacuate.

"No one is staying there," he said.

'It will take 3 to 4 days'

Provincial authorities expected it would take at least three to four days to stop the fire.

Meanwhile, smog had spread over a 5km area south of the site, Kanit said.

Jirawut Jiamsakul, an inspector from the Department, visited the area and measured the level of carbon monoxide, sulphur dioxide and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) around the site.

He found the level of sulphur dioxide was 4-5 parts-per-million (ppm), well over the designated standard of 0.2 ppm.

The level of carbon monoxide was measured at 175 ppm at the dump but just 10 ppm 200 metres away. The latter figure was below the designated standard of 27 ppm. VOCs measured at 0.9 ppm to 1.0 ppm, which also was under standard level.

"This is the worst incidence of garbage disposal site that had been fired," he said.

Moo 4 Praeksa community leader Paithoon Maisanklang, 51, said he had tried to move local residents to a multi-purpose building owned by the Tambon Praeksa Administrative Organisation, serving as an evacuation centre. He said many were choking from the smoke and had to move out for safety.

He and other leaders were monitoring nearby communities to see if the situation deteriorated last night. "If it gets worse, we will have to evacuate them too," he said.

-- The Nation 2014-03-18

[Rooo]

This will keep on burning underground for years.

[chooka]

EVACUATION

Dump fire creates deadly smog; locals ordered out

PONGPHON SARNSAMAK

THE NATION

Sulphur Dioxide levels found to be five times higher; chronic patients at greatest risk

BANGKOK: -- RESIDENTS IN Tambon Praeksa in Samut Prakan were forced to rush to grab their belongings and flee after a massive fire broke out at a garbage dump near their homes.

Inspectors from the Pollution Control Department (PCD) had advised locals to evacuate after finding sulphur dioxide levels at five times higher than normal.

Smog caused by the huge fire at the garbage dump covered at least three housing estates near the site.

Local residents had to wear face-masks to avoid the worst of the pollution.

"This is the first time in my life that I have experienced a terrible incident like this," Kudan Boonnontae, 62, said.

After learning that a huge fire had broken out at the dump, she had to evacuate from her home and stay at the Praeksa Administrative Organisation building on Sunday night.

Another local resident, Suthep Montralak, 55, had gathered his belongings and took his family to stay at a relative's house.

"I cannot stay here. No one can breathe," he said.

Only a few cars were running on local roads. Many drivers had to turn on their car's front lights due to the low visibility.

Dozens of ambulances were transferring residents suffering from chronic diseases for treatment at nearby hospitals, while fire engines were deployed to stop the fire.

Samut Prakan Governor Kanit Iamrahong said people living in three housing estates within a 500-metre radius from the burning dump had been advised to evacuate.

"No one is staying there," he said.

'It will take 3 to 4 days'

Provincial authorities expected it would take at least three to four days to stop the fire.

Meanwhile, smog had spread over a 5km area south of the site, Kanit said.

Jirawut Jiamsakul, an inspector from the Department, visited the area and measured the level of carbon monoxide, sulphur dioxide and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) around the site.

He found the level of sulphur dioxide was 4-5 parts-per-million (ppm), well over the designated standard of 0.2 ppm.

The level of carbon monoxide was measured at 175 ppm at the dump but just 10 ppm 200 metres away. The latter figure was below the designated standard of 27 ppm. VOCs measured at 0.9 ppm to 1.0 ppm, which also was under standard level.

"This is the worst incidence of garbage disposal site that had been fired," he said.

Moo 4 Praeksa community leader Paithoon Maisanklang, 51, said he had tried to move local residents to a multi-purpose building owned by the Tambon Praeksa Administrative Organisation, serving as an evacuation centre. He said many were choking from the smoke and had to move out for safety.

He and other leaders were monitoring nearby communities to see if the situation deteriorated last night. "If it gets worse, we will have to evacuate them too," he said.

-- The Nation 2014-03-18

Sounds like Chiangmai

[speedtripler]

Thailand -hub of one disaster after another .........

[focus27]

I could smell it, and I'm in Huamak, from about 1 am the other night. I thought it was the local moron who periodically burns a pile of plastic rubbish - he usually does this at night thinking nobody can see him. Of course, nobody does anything to stop him. I thought this was just done in every Thai village as there is usually no garbage collection service, but no, it happens here in Bangkok too.

If such small garbage fires create an unbreathable toxic stench, I can only sympathise with the poor folks who live near the disaster in Samut Prakan. But like so many things here, small infringements are rarely prosecuted, and so the attitude of 'don't worry, it'll never happen' just creates one disaster after another. As one of the above articles says, there was a similar incident five years ago.

[oops]

And again tonight gasping for air, head feeling dizzy and stomach aches.

Called the embassy to find out if there was any word on evacuating Samut Prakan and Bangna areas.

This is disgusting how can they let this happen. Told my Thai wife and she said grab a mask? Can they really be that stupid. It's chemicals not dust, You need a proper gas mask not a paper cup.

Anyone hear anything else about this..? Now they are trying to choke us out or kill us.

[BillBangkok]

Where is that Ministry of Silly Solutions ???

why are they not coming up with something !!!...like they did during the floods....

Corruption has left this country to Rubble & Garbage....and i hear there is lots of possible corrupt ways even in Garbage collection & disposal....i am yet to understand them though...

The good Thais suffer much in the hands of the corrupt few...only God incarnate can save this country & its people from corruption and its side-effects.

already people avoided Thailand for the protests now they will keep away coz of the smoke & sulphur dioxide....and the Economy & GDP is dependant on Tourism & visitors :-((((

[IsaanUSA]

the Economy & GDP is dependant on Tourism & visitors :-((((

Incorrect

[webfact]

SAMUT PRAKARN
Fire may be put out today
The Nation




BANGKOK: -- THE LANDFILL FIRE in Samut Prakan that is billowing smoke and fumes across surrounding areas will probably be extinguished today.

Up to 70 per cent has been brought under control, thanks to joint efforts by the Phraek Sa Tambon Administration Organisation, various charitable foundations and the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA)'s Fire and Rescue Department, Surakiat Limcharoen, a deputy director, said yesterday.

A new technique has been deployed, with a new tool used - a fire-hose nozzle that can penetrate deep into the garbage pile and inject water deep down below.

Backhoes would continue cutting up huge, condensed piles of garbage for water jets to be let inside, while tractors and backhoes would also run over burned garbage to press it further down into the liquefied layer underneath, he said.

On Tuesday, 85 BMA-hired firemen from 14 fire stations started working at the landfill site. The firemen, in full protective gear, took turns doing their shifts to prevent stress and minimise occupational hazards from the toxic smog and fires.

A one-year-old boy living a kilometre away was hospitalised for asthma and breathing difficulties and later diagnosed with lung inflammation, his mother told reporters. She said she and her family had not evacuated their home.

The National Institute for Emergency Medicine (NIEM) again called for households lying within 2km of the site to be evacuated under international standards.

Dr Kittiphong Banomyong of the NIEM said about 200 homes were in the area and agencies providing assistance there needed to protect themselves thoroughly.

Those deciding not to leave needed to stay safely in their homes, with windows and doors tightly shut, while those travelling outdoors needed to wear protective masks at all times. A central air-conditioning system in the house is less safe than individual units.

Dr Anucha Setsathian, secretary-general of the NIEM, said a long-term evacuation management system was based on preparation, response, recovery and prevention.

All agencies should integrate their operations and draft contingency plans to handle such toxic fires and other industrial disasters, he said.

-- The Nation 2014-03-20

[focus27]

Woke up to this toxic stench again. <deleted>!!

This is what happens when the psychopaths have taken over the asylum - no thought of consequences, and no care.

Are there any countries left that have not been infected with psychopaths?

[kurnell]

My kids were sent home from school on Ramkhamhaeng yesterday. They have gone to school today, but the staff will close all the windows.

[focus27]

My kids were sent home from school on Ramkhamhaeng yesterday. They have gone to school today, but the staff will close all the windows.

Which soi off Ramkhamhaeng?

I'm in the same area, but once I got to the school (soi 16) the toxic stench had gone. Really depends on the wind.

I am expecting a phonecall from school if it ever does get bad there.