Sand at crude-spilled Phrao Bay returning white

BANGKOK, August 2 (TNA) - Clean-up operations at crude-spilled Phrao Bay on Samet Island in Thailand's eastern Rayong province have been on well-progress, as sand along the affected coastal zone has been returning white, a week after some 50 tonnes of crude oil leaked from an offshore pipeline of PTT Global Chemical Public Company Limited (PTTGC), dirtying sand and nearby beaches. PTTGC President Bowon Vongsinudom told reporters on Friday that sand at the Phrao Bay has now been seen white for the second consecutive day, thanks to the relentless clean-up operations from all parties concerned. The clean-up operations now cover transporting washed up oil, sand and wastes, created by sorbents to soak up the spilled oil, from the sea to be destroyed at PTTGC's oil refinery plant at Map Ta Phut Industrial Estate, also in Rayong. Trucks were carrying the wastes contained in big bags to be sent to Thai navy ships, before being loaded on a large ship and dispatched to the PTTGC’s plant for a proper disposal. According to the PTTGC president, scrubbing oil sludge clinging to rocks along the affected beach is also carried out by using high pressure water pipe. As for possible impacts on coral reefs and seaweeds in the area, Noppon Srisuk, Director-General of the Marine and Coastal Resources Department, acknowledged, meanwhile, that divers have found coral reefs around the Phrao Bay having turned black after they were tainted with the oil submerged by dispersant. Although no impact has yet been estimated, officials have warned divers to refrain from watching the affected coral reefs in the area at the moment. The senior official assessed that all the small marine animals living around the Phrao Bay and nearby areas should be affected by the oil leakage, considered a most severe incident in Rayong. (TNA)