Authorities expedite clean-up operation along crude-spilled coast

BANGKOK, July 30 (TNA) - Authorities have accelerated a clean-up operation at Samet Island's Phrao Bay in Thailand's eastern Rayong province, after 50 tonnes of crude oil leaked from a pipeline of PTT Global Chemical Public Company Limited (PTTGC) last Saturday. PTTGC Executive Vice President Pornthep Butniphant told reporters on Tuesday he believes that the clean-up operation at the crude-spilled Phrao Bay should be completed over the next couple of days, acknowledging that the crude spillover has not yet reached other Rayong's coasts. According to the PTTGC executive vice president, more than 500 officials were deployed on Tuesday alone to collect grease sand for disposal. Meanwhile, Pakorn Prasertwong, an environment official of the Ministry of Transport's Marine Department, expressed his confidence that the Phrao crude-spilled beach should be fully rehabilitated over the next seven days so that it can welcome international tourists again, while PTTGC will take legal responsibility for its crude leak. Pakorn said once the clean-up operation is completed, his Marine Department will send aquanauts to examine whether the oil spill has affected coral reefs in affected zones. (TNA)