Pollution Control Department Confirms 5 Phuket Beaches Are Safe, Unaffected by Shipwreck

On Feb 20, Surinth Worakitdhamrong, Director-General of the Pollution Control Department (PCD), reported on the recent SEALLOYD ARC vessel incident. The Panamanian ship, which was carrying cargo from Malaysia to Bangladesh, sank in the sea near Phuket on Feb 7, causing significant oil spillage. Multiple agencies have been monitoring the situation, focusing on three main aspects: maritime safety, oil spill control and removal, and ship and cargo recovery. The PCD used the OILMAP program to predict oil slick movement and continuously monitored coastal areas. The latest inspection of five beaches - Rawai, Nai Harn, Kata Noi, Kata Yai, and Karon - found no oil contamination on beaches or sea surfaces. Preliminary water quality tests remain within standard recreational water quality parameters. The PCD will continue to closely track oil slick movement and environmental conditions for future response planning.