The oil spill that has been washing ashore on to Ao Prao beach in Koh Samet, Thailand, since a faulty transfer operation between a tanker and a seabed pipeline last Saturday, has been “70% dealt with” and the remaining crude oil will be “90% clear by Friday or Sunday at the latest”, according to a spokesman for PTT Global Chemical.
The spill seems to be contained to Ao Prao, a remote and the only beach on the west coast of Koh Samet, and there is little or no evidence of the spill at the more popular resorts a few kilometres to the south. Koh Samet is just 220km south-east of Bangkok and is a popular shortbreak destination for residents of the capital. Most of Koh Samet’s beaches lie on the east coast.
The Thai government has promised the results of an investigation into the oil spill within seven days.
