Initial probe finds no radioactive contamination in Songkhla's water sources

BANGKOK, November 8 (TNA) - A team of officials from the Medical Science Centre has initially found no radioactive contamination in water sources of Thailand's southern Songkhla province, where a 30-year storage of radioactive materials by a transnational oil drilling firm was recently disclosed. Saroj Pariyawatee, an official from the provincial medical science centre, told reporters of the preliminary finding on Thursday, after samples collected from surface and ground water sources surrounding the downtown area, where the transnational energy firm, Schlumberger Overseas S.A. is located, have been tested. Saroj said that the water samples have, however, been forwarded for further laboratory tests to see whether they are contaminated with hazardous chemical substances or heavy metals to ensure safety for locals, with results of the specific lab tests expected over the next two weeks. In the meantime, the official acknowledged, his team has kept collecting more samples from local water sources for lab tests, especially those from water sources adjacent to the firm. On Wednesday, Thailand’s ombudsmen Pravit Ratanapien visited Songkhla to follow up the case and to help find a solution for the sake of public safety. Songkhla's civil networks earlier filed a petition with Thailand's National Human Right Commission (NHRC), voicing their concerns over standard safety and impacts from the 30-year storage of radioactive materials at the transnational energy company's depots in the provincial heart and asking for an official investigation into the case. (TNA)