Bangkok oil leak contained as crews search for source

An oil leak in Bangkok has been contained after officials launched an investigation following reports of a strong fuel smell. The contamination was discovered near Rama III Road, straddling the boundary between Khlong Toei and Yan Nawa districts. Bangkok Governor Chadchart Sittipunt, along with officials from the Khlong Toei and Yan Nawa districts, the Department of Drainage and Sewerage, and the Pollution Control Department, visited the area on the evening of September 7.

Crews inserted oil-absorbent booms into the drainage system to prevent the spread of contamination and began removing the affected liquid. The affected area, covering about 1,000 square meters, has been sealed off using sandbags. Officials estimate that roughly 20,000 litres of water mixed with oil have been pumped from the drains, with around 4,000 litres of oil accounting for roughly 20% of the mixture.

The contaminated section comprises around 50 meters of drainage pipe. Investigations are ongoing to determine whether the oil leak originated from an underground fuel pipeline buried approximately 2 meters underground and around 14 inches in diameter. Both pipelines run through the area and have been operating for over 30 years.

While pipeline pressure was reduced following the discovery of contamination, the source of the leak remains unconfirmed, and current levels of fuel vapors remain within safe limits.