Thailand cleans up after Samet oil slick
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Thailand’s Koh Samet is returning to normal following the oil slick that hit the tropical island’s west coast this week.
According to an update from the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT), only about 10% of the original oil spill remains in Ao Phrao (Phrao Bay), and the slick has not spread to the more popular east coast of the island, where the TAT said swimming is still possible. The nearby islands of Koh Kham, Koh Plateen and Koh Kudee are also unaffected. The tourism board added that it is likely to take another day to clean up the remaining sludge from Ao Phrao.
In the meantime, Thailand’s minister of tourism & sports, Somsak Pureesrisak, has travelled to Koh Samet where he plans to meet with local tourism operators and discuss plans to help the island’s recovery. The TAT revealed that this is likely to include “tax-cuts and marketing efforts” to help local businesses.
The minister has been quoted as saying that Thai oil company PTTGC should compensate hotels that have suffered lost business following the pipeline leak.
Oil washed up on Koh Samet’s west coast earlier this week, days after an estimated 50,000 litres of oil leaked from a PTTGC pipe into the Gulf of Thailand. The slick had measured approximately 9km², but by Thursday (1 August) this had reduced to 5km².
As one of the closest resort islands to Bangkok, Koh Samet has developed into a popular weekend holiday destination, attracting an estimated one million visitors per year. And while the more popular resort areas of Had Sai Kaew, Ao Wong Duean and Ao Phai, were unaffected, the oil slick is likely to have a significant impact on the island’s tourism trade.
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