Anti-fracking protesters rally at US Embassy in Bangkok

[webfact]

Anti-fracking protesters rally at US Embassy
Pratch Rujivanarom
The Nation



Demand that firms cease drilling system they claim threatens villagers' health

BANGKOK: -- AROUND 20 members of the "Stop Fracking Thailand Network" rallied outside the US Embassy in Bangkok yesterday to protest against chemical fracking in this country.

Two network representatives, Rangsit University professor Dr Smith Tungkasmit and Pipat Samanchuen, were allowed to enter the premises to hand a letter to Eric Frater, first secretary of the economic section of the embassy.

The letter demanded that US authorities encourage an investigation into companies Apico (Khorat), Apico LLC, Hess Corporation, Chevron and CEC and stop them using the chemical hydraulic fracturing system.

The group also asked the embassy to pass the request on to the US Congress.

Chemical fracking is a petroleum drilling process that pumps a solution of water, sand and chemicals at high pressure underground to crack the rock layers and allow natural gas to flow out.

The network claimed this process would leave a huge amount of chemicals under the surface, which could contaminate the groundwater and weaken the bedrock - possibly causing an earthquake and releasing flammable methane gas into groundwater and the atmosphere.

"We are demanding that the US companies and also other companies that have concessions to drill for petroleum stop using the chemical fracking process.

"This is because we are concerned about the impact to health of the |people in local communities," Smith said.

"Our observation of the Namoon site in Khon Kaen province found that a company used the toxic chemical zinc oxide, which is not shown in the environmental impact assessment report.

Packages of this chemical, which should be disposed of by a hazardous-waste-management company, were instead donated to a nearby school," he said.

After handing in the letter, Smith said the embassy promised to investigate this matter and would discuss it with the US companies within seven days. He also stated that the embassy claimed it would take definite action against the companies if they were found guilty of lawbreaking.

Outside the embassy, members of the Stop Fracking Thailand Network displayed banners as police guarded the area.

There were some arguments between protesters and police but the campaign ended peacefully.

Apico has denied it used the fracking process at the Namoon site in Khon Kaen, and also that it had used zinc oxide in its operations there.

Pisutth Nilasinthop, public and community relations director of Apico (Khorat), said in an e-mail to The Nation late yesterday: "The government's Department of Mineral Fuels confirmed no fracking at the DM-5 site [in Khon Kaen], and we also confirmed no zinc oxide on drilling operations at this site."

On the issue of packages of zinc oxide found at a nearby school, the company explained that Waste Management Siam (WMS), a contractor to Apico, had used an improper bag to donate plastic bottles to the school and a recycler, but the company insisted it did not use zinc oxide in its operation.

The company gave assurance that the use of improper bags had been prohibited and measures were put in place so it could not happen in the future.

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/national/Anti-fracking-protesters-rally-at-US-Embassy-30258381.html

-- The Nation 2015-04-21

[Jingthing]

Pass it on to the U.S. congress?

That's amusing.

Do they know who controls the U.S. congress?

I thought political protests were verboten in these parts.

[davehowden]

"Packages of this chemical (Zinc Oxide), which should be disposed of by a hazardous-waste-management company, were instead donated to a nearby school,"

Says it all I guess.

[borisloosebrain]

Fracking is not a good thing. Please show us you care about thais and ban it Mr Prayut

[rametindallas]

Wow! If only these people protested because of FACTS. Here are some facts from prominent and reputable sources. The government people are all Obama appointees:

Ernest Moniz, Secretary of U.S. Dept. of Energy: “To my knowledge, I still have not seen any evidence of fracking per se contaminating groundwater.” (Aug. 2013)

U.S. Geological Survey: “This new study is important in terms of finding no significant effects on groundwater quality from shale gas development within the area of sampling.” (January 2013)

U.S. Govt. Accountability Office (GAO): “[R]egulatory officials we met with from eight states – Arkansas, Colorado, Louisiana, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, and Texas – told us that, based on state investigations, the hydraulic fracturing process has not been identified as a cause of groundwater contamination within their states.” (September 2012)

Lisa Jackson, former EPA Administrator: “In no case have we made a definitive determination that [hydraulic fracturing] has caused chemicals to enter groundwater.” (April 2012)

Dr. Stephen Holditch, Dept. of Petroleum Engineering, Texas A&M University; member of DOE’s (US Dept. of Energy) SEAB Shale Gas Production Subcommittee: “I have been working in hydraulic fracturing for 40+ years and there is absolutely no evidence hydraulic fractures can grow from miles below the surface to the fresh water aquifers.” (October 2011)

Dr. Mark Zoback, Professor of Geophysics, Stanford University; member of DOE’s SEAB Shale Gas Production Subcommittee: “Fracturing fluids have not contaminated any water supply and with that much distance to an aquifer, it is very unlikely they could.” (August 2011)

Massachusetts Institute of Technology: “In the studies surveyed, no incidents are reported which conclusively demonstrate contamination of shallow water zones with fracture fluids.” (2010)

And the list goes on and on. http://energyindepth.org/national/how-anti-fracking-activists-deny-science-water-contamination/

Zinc Oxide is sometimes referred to as the only safe sun protection available in a tube. It protects from the full spectrum of UVA and UVB rays, incredibly effectively, all by itself, making it truly the best natural sunscreen ingredient available http://www.kitchenstewardship.com/2010/07/20/natural-sunscreen-review-do-mineral-based-sunblocks-work-2/

A little ignorance goes a long way. These people remind me of the anti-vaccine movement that's causing the resurgence of diseases once thought eradicated. Certainly, the last thing these folks want is for Thailand to be less dependent on foreign imports of petroleum products. Luddites!

Edited April 20, 2015 by rametindallas

[sirineou]

shouldn't they be protesting their government for allowing Apico to engage in Fracking in Thailand?

[ExpatOilWorker]

Fracking is not a good thing. Please show us you care about thais and ban it Mr Prayut

Hydraulic fracturing is the best thing ever and I have actually done about 500 fracs around the world, but hey if you want $100 oil, be my guest. We could also make it an even $200 just for you.

[Ricardo]

Why should drilling/extraction-methods used in Thailand be the responsibility of the US-government ?

Shouldn't this protest have been directed at the Thai-government, not farangs ?

And anyway the company denies using the method at the location named.

[Whyamiandwhatamidoinghere]

How much you want to wager that Thais dont know how to spell Fracking less know what it is?

[bkkjames]

Who gives a frack?

[arthurboy]

Interesting.

Perhaps the protesters would also like to visit the various Thai ministries who stand by doing nothing as Thai companies and corrupt individuals continue to destroy the countrywide, coastal and maritime environments and local communities for that all enticing dollar.

This is political trolling, nothing more.

[TheAppletons]

Unless this merry band of protestors obtained permission from the NCPO head, I wonder why the PM didn't invoke article 44, specifically:

"Item 12: Political gatherings of five or more persons shall be punished with imprisonment not exceeding six months or a fine of no more than Bt10,000, or both, unless permission has been granted by the NCPO head or an authorised representative. Offenders who voluntarily agree to receive corrective training for no more than seven days may be released with or without conditions. Those who fail to comply with the conditions of release shall be punished with imprisonment not exceeding six months or a fine of no more than Bt10,000, or both."

[whatawonderfulday]

Fracking is not a good thing. Please show us you care about thais and ban it Mr Prayut

As preliminary geological surveys and data assessment have listed Thailand as having the 19th largest potential for shale gas in the world it 'ain't going to happen. You think if only 10% of that is recoverable and based on the Thai average of 30% income skimming, then the General and his cronies are going to stop that opportunity ?

Those deposits are primarily in the Korat basin and where does the General come from and whose family have large land holdings in that area ? Do your research and apply some logic and whilst there is still debate world wide about the fracking process, money still rules, especially in Thailand.

[JDGRUEN]

Fracking is not a good thing. Please show us you care about thais and ban it Mr Prayut

Hydraulic fracturing is the best thing ever and I have actually done about 500 fracs around the world, but hey if you want $100 oil, be my guest. We could also make it an even $200 just for you.

I lived 10 years in the county in Texas where Fracking was invented ... Wise County - north of Fort Worth Texas. There were 4000 gas and some oil wells in my county when I left in 2014... Same for Tarrant County (Fort Worth) and again same for the combined counties of Johnson and Parker. Problems are minor with 12,000 wells ... many in a urban environment.

Fracking is hated because of exaggerated and embellished HYPE mostly done by the greenies. The movie on that subject was pure fabrication ... a total lie. I am not in the gas and oil business and receive not one BAHT from it.

Done correctly Fracking does not intrude on anyone... And this technology has made America almost energy independent. Thailand could become the richest S.E.A Nation eclipsing Singapore at some point But false propaganda is what it is...

In America, land owners become rich - very rich from the gas and oil taken from deep under their land - royalties. The main source of false complaints came from - guess who - those who didn't own land ...they wanted by lawsuit a piece of the pie. So they made up preposterous stories to try to get to civil court. And told lies to the movie makers.

Edited April 21, 2015 by JDGRUEN

[JDGRUEN]

In Thailand - I doubt landowners will be given royalties... but I could be wrong.

[ExpatOilWorker]

Without having any hard numbers, I would still think that the local agriculture industry dump more pesticides, fertilizer and other chemicals in the drinking water aquifers than hydraulic fracturing 10,000 ft will ever do.

[Anthony5]

http://finance.yahoo.com/news/earthquake-case-could-doom-fracking-163828044.html;_ylt=AwrXnCZorDVV.hMA.VSTmYlQ;_ylu=X3oDMTBycmY4a3FnBGNvbG8DZ3ExBHBvcwM3BHZ0aWQDBHNlYwNzYw--

The rise in earthquakes as a result of fracking poses a massive problem for the oil and gas industry.

https://uk.news.yahoo.com/fracking-triggering-earthquakes-texas-232420163.html#rb1PH4p

Professor Brian Stump, a seismologist at Southern Methodist University in Dallas, has begun a study into the cause of the swarm. A previously unknown underground fault has been discovered.

He told Sky News: "It is pretty well established that there is a relationship between fluids and small to medium sized, maybe even (magnitude) five (earthquakes).

http://finance.yahoo.com/video/could-fracking-pennsylvania-releasing-radon-210010341.html;_ylt=AwrXgiNorTVVRyEA8h6TmYlQ;_ylu=X3oDMTByNDN1aDMxBGNvbG8DZ3ExBHBvcwM1BHZ0aWQDBHNlYwNzYw--

Robert Wood Johnson's Joan Casey discusses the study finding a link between cancer-causing radon and fracking in Pennsylvania. She speaks with Bloomberg's Alix Steel on "Street Smart."

Edited April 21, 2015 by Anthony5

[gudtymchuk]

Surprising there is not a group of protesters demonstrating against unwanted/unwarranted American influence standing next to the anti-fracking loons....

[Commerce]

Unless this merry band of protestors obtained permission from the NCPO head, I wonder why the PM didn't invoke article 44, specifically:

"Item 12: Political gatherings of five or more persons shall be punished with imprisonment not exceeding six months or a fine of no more than Bt10,000, or both, unless permission has been granted by the NCPO head or an authorised representative. Offenders who voluntarily agree to receive corrective training for no more than seven days may be released with or without conditions. Those who fail to comply with the conditions of release shall be punished with imprisonment not exceeding six months or a fine of no more than Bt10,000, or both."

Fine observation!

[tx22cb]

How much you want to wager that Thais dont know how to spell Fracking less know what it is?

Even worse - for a demonstration being held outside the US Embassy, of the 5 flags being held up in the photo, not one is the Stars & S.

[baboon]

Fracking is not a good thing. Please show us you care about thais and ban it Mr Prayut

Hydraulic fracturing is the best thing ever and I have actually done about 500 fracs around the world, but hey if you want $100 oil, be my guest. We could also make it an even $200 just for you.

I lived 10 years in the county in Texas where Fracking was invented ... Wise County - north of Fort Worth Texas. There were 4000 gas and some oil wells in my county when I left in 2014... Same for Tarrant County (Fort Worth) and again same for the combined counties of Johnson and Parker. Problems are minor with 12,000 wells ... many in a urban environment.

Fracking is hated because of exaggerated and embellished HYPE mostly done by the greenies. The movie on that subject was pure fabrication ... a total lie. I am not in the gas and oil business and receive not one BAHT from it.

Done correctly Fracking does not intrude on anyone... And this technology has made America almost energy independent. Thailand could become the richest S.E.A Nation eclipsing Singapore at some point But false propaganda is what it is...

In America, land owners become rich - very rich from the gas and oil taken from deep under their land - royalties. The main source of false complaints came from - guess who - those who didn't own land ...they wanted by lawsuit a piece of the pie. So they made up preposterous stories to try to get to civil court. And told lies to the movie makers.

Dick Cheney likes it. That is more than enough to put me right off.

[NeverSure]

How much you want to wager that Thais dont know how to spell Fracking less know what it is?

If you gave those professors two beautiful women each to spend the night with, in the morning they still wouldn't know what fracking is.

[NeilSA1]

How much you want to wager that Thais dont know how to spell Fracking less know what it is?

That's what first got my attention. I thought they had spelt it incorrectly.

Edited April 21, 2015 by NeilSA1

[AlQaholic]

How much you want to wager that Thais dont know how to spell Fracking less know what it is?

If you gave those professors two beautiful women each to spend the night with, in the morning they still wouldn't know what fracking is.

I know how it is said in Thai.... "Flackin". On the subject of being dangerous to the environment and possible contamination of ground water, I think only time will tell just as time told the story about asbestos, which is still not banned (to my knowledge) in the US but almost all of Europe. On a side note asbestos is also not banned in Thailand, but nobody seems to be protesting about that?

[wabothai]

Fracking? never heard of that word.

[TomJoad]

"In America, land owners become rich - very rich from the gas and oil taken from deep under their land - royalties."

Thanks to smallpox, the original land owners are now selling moccasins and blankets near the interstate.

[Squeegee]

They have very poor taste if they can't appreciate the rebooted Battlestar Galactica....

Ahem.

Anyway, it's OK because it's not a Political gathering of five or more red shirt sympathizers.

[sandmike]

Slightly off topic, but can someone explain the difference between hydraulic fracking, and using explosives down the hole to fracture the rock structure and allow the oil to flow ?? Thanks.

Sent from my GT-I9100 using Tapatalk

[ExpatOilWorker]

"In America, land owners become rich - very rich from the gas and oil taken from deep under their land - royalties."

Thanks to smallpox, the original land owners are now selling moccasins and blankets near the interstate.

They were mere users of the land, ownership require a title deed and that is a white man's invention. Do they pay rent on those road side stands?

[mikemac]

Of course there will always be two sides to this argument, always the same in the oil and mining industries.

But if there is a danger to the water table, it is not an easy fix. Perhaps why there is so much opposition to it in the USA and Australia.