The Royal Thai Navy has established a command centre to expedite oil spill containment efforts off the coast of Rayong province in the east.
VAdm Pokkrong Monthatphalin, spokesman for the navy, yesterday said the move is a response to an oil leak from a pipeline belonging to Star Petroleum Refining Public Company Limited near Map the Ta Phut seaport which began on Tuesday.
The centre, called the Administrative Centre on Prevention and Elimination of Water Pollution from Oil, is meant to help mitigate risks posed by the spill.
The navy is coordinating with government and private agencies for joint oil spill containment and cleanup operations, VAdm Pokkrong said.
He said the navy expects the containment operation phase to take upwards of five days if favourable wind conditions continue.
However, the province's Mae Ramphueng beach is expected to remain affected by the spill, he said.
A meeting has been held to discuss a resource restoration plan, he said, adding the situation requires further appraisal before any legal action against those responsible can proceed.
RAdm Vichanu Toopa-ang, director of the security affairs office under the Naval Operation Department, said cleanup efforts include buoys for containment and a surface-water skimmer.
The waste is expected to be returned to the Industrial Works Department for disposal, according to RAdm Vichanu.
As to the coastal area, the centre has coordinated with the provincial hall for buoy placement.
Authorities are also expected to clean oil stains on rocks along the beach, while oil-contaminated sands will be taken elsewhere.
RAdm Vichanu said workers must wear protective suits to prevent exposure to hazardous materials and can conduct operations only four hours per day.
Local media reports have quoted officials saying about 20,000 litres of oil have spilt in the incident, prompting a tier 2 emergency classification from the government.
However, Industry Minister Suriya Jungrungreangkit downplayed the reports, saying the officials overestimated the amount because they thought the spill was from the upper side of the pipeline instead of the lower part.
After an inspection, officials found that only 5,000 litres had spilt, the minister said, adding the incident will not affect the tourism sector.
His ministry has also formed a panel, he said, comprising transport, industry, environment and public health department officials to establish the leak's cause.