Fishermen from Rayong are to file a civil lawsuit seeking compensation from PTT Global Chemical Plc after an oil spill from one of the company's offshore pipelines polluted the sea in the area last year.
Villagers gather at Wat Pak Nam in Rayong’s Muang district to prepare documents to file a lawsuit against PTT Global Chemical Plc for damage to the fishing community after an oil spill from the company’s offshore pipeline one year ago. PATTARAPONG CHATPATTARASILL
More than 380 fishermen gathered at Wat Pak Nam in Rayong's Muang district yesterday as they prepared to file the suit.
The group has put together evidence to back their case including household accounts outlining their expenses and documents showing the quantity of fish caught before and after the leak.
Around 50,000 litres of crude oil leaked into the sea when the PTT pipeline broke last July. The spill polluted Ao Phrao beach on Koh Samet and later spread to mainland Rayong.
The villagers, whose livelihoods depend on fishing, said catches have been dwindling since the spill.
Udomsak Lodthong, a local fishermen's network representative, said the group will lodge the civil court suit on Friday.
They will seek compensation to cover a shortfall in income for three years following the spill.
"The initial compensation given when the incident occurred was not enough," Mr Udomsak said, adding that fishermen only received 1,000 baht per day, but would have usually earned between 4,000 and 5,000 baht per day.
Some villagers missed out on compensation because they had to be members of a fishing network to qualify, he said.
Mr Udomsak said the group also plans to file a separate administrative court lawsuit against state agencies which failed to perform their duty in coming to the aid of affected villagers.
Meanwhile, the number of people admitted to hospital following a chemical leak from a container ship at Laem Chabang deep-sea port in Chon Buri climbed to 180 yesterday, up from 105 on Thursday, when the incident happened. Most of them were school pupils.
A total of 35 patients, including eight children, remained in Vibharam Laemchabang, Laemchabang and Phyathai Sriracha hospitals yesterday. They were all in a stable condition.
The chemical was identified as butyl acrylate, a clear colourless liquid with a fruity odour that can cause eye and skin irritation.
Lt Sutthinan Hatthawong, managing director of Laem Chabang Port, apologised for the leak and pledged tougher measures to prevent future incidents.
Chon Buri deputy governor Pongsak Preechavit said the situation was now stable and classes at local schools had resumed.
Suwan Nanthasarut, director of the Regional Environmental Office 13, said tests showed air quality in the affected area had returned to normal.