A complaint has been filed with the police against PTT subsidiary Thaioil over the oil leak off the coast of Chonburi province, said Pollution Control Department director general Pinsak Suraswadi today (Wednesday).

The filing was at the suggestion of Natural Resources and Environment Minister Pol Gen Patcharawat Wongsuwan. Pinsak said that, if there are any future impacts of the leak, which happened at an oil transfer buoy late on September 3, the ministry will be able to pursue the case with police.

The minister has also ordered a close watch for possible impacts from the oil leak on the environment and the public.

Pinsak said the latest sea surface and satellite surveys have found no oil reaching Bang Pra beach or Udom bay, as earlier anticipated. On September 5, patches of floating oil film were detected to the east of Sri Chang Island.

Pinsak said, however, there will be a follow up on the environmental impacts of Thai Oil’s use of dispersants.

The success in preventing the oil from reaching beaches, Pinsak said, is partly due to Thaioil’s immediate action, which included the use of dispersants, when the accident happened.

Pinsak’s and the Marine and Coastal Resources departments are closely monitoring the situation and will collect seawater samples for lab tests, he said.

Health department chief Dr Suwannachai Wattanayingcharoenchai said that he has assigned his staff to conduct random surveys on seafood products in markets in the areas close to the incident.

He said the public should also check seafood during this time for possible contamination. Although no oil from the spill has yet been detected near the shoreline, the doctor advised people do not engage in any water activities in the areas.

Thaioil, in its second statement on September 5, said that the accident occurred about 16 kilometres southwest of the Thai Oil refinery. The removal and clean-up of the oil slick, about 60,000 litres, continues.

The chemicals used in the clean-up have been certified to international standards, ensuring that they will have no adverse effects on the marine eco-system, according to Thaioil.