Major clean-up operation after oil spill hits tourist beach in Thailand

A beach at a popular tourist island in Thailand's eastern sea was plagued by a 50 ton oil spill, and despite continuous attempts to clean up the oil up over the weekend, tourists on Samet island were warned to stay away from the beach.

About 50 tonnes of oil spilled into the sea off Rayong province Saturday morning after a leak sprung in a pipeline operated by PTT Global Chemical Plc, a subsidiary of state-owned oil and gas company PTT Plc, the AP reported.

Hundreds of people, including navy personnel, environment officials and villagers were battling to clean the oil from Samet's beaches said the BBC.

"The top priorities right now are to get rid of the oil on the sand and the seawaters, and to make sure the spill doesn't spread to other shores," said local deputy provincial governor Supeepat Chongpanish.

On Monday, PTT Global Chemical Plc (PTTGC) apologised for the oil spill from its pipeline that has damaged a beach on Koh Samet, one of the country's most popular tourist destinations, and promised to complete the clean up and restoration by Thursday.

"As the highest ranking executive at PTTGC I admit to being guilty in causing damage to the environment and will pay for the damage," chief executive Anon Sirisaengtaksin said at a press conference. (NewsPoint)