Environment Minister Orders Data Center Smell Investigation
Environment Minister orders an urgent investigation into foul petroleum-like odors affecting Bangkok residents near Rama 9 Road, with preliminary inspections at a nearby data center revealing oil residue and turbid water in drainage systems
On September 3, Environment Minister Suchart Chomklin revealed he has instructed the Pollution Control Department to urgently investigate public complaints posted on social media about foul odors resembling petroleum affecting residents near Rama 9 Road, Soi 6, in Bangkok's Huay Kwang district. Residents reported sharp smells and itching on their skin.
Chomklin said he has ordered the department to quickly field-verify the complaints and locate the source, particularly focusing on a data center facility near the affected area. He instructed officials to coordinate with Bangkok authorities to inspect all systems including cooling, backup power, fuel storage, and drainage to identify the true cause and prevent further public impact.
"I have instructed the Pollution Control Department to take residents' grievances seriously, pinpoint the source clearly, and take legal action if pollution is confirmed. We must resolve this quickly to minimize public harm," Chomklin said.
Pollution Control Department Director Surin Vorakitdhammrung revealed that inspections at the data center, which is still in testing phase and not yet operating officially, found brown turbid water with sludge, oil residue, and petroleum-like odor in the external drainage outlet. Water samples were collected for laboratory analysis.
Initial questioning indicated the operator hired a contractor to test backup power generators in July, placing fuel tanks near a wastewater settling basin. An oil spill accident occurred, with oil leaking into the public drainage system. However, scientific analysis is still pending to confirm the cause and link to the pollution.
The department also collected additional samples from the public drainage system in front of the building, which connects to Sanam Luang Canal, showing similar turbid water with sediment and petroleum smell. Results are expected within approximately seven days.
Preliminary testing using portable gas detectors measured total volatile organic compounds (TVOCs) at 6 ppm inside the facility and 3 ppm in the external drainage, indicating the presence of volatile organic matter requiring close monitoring and urgent remediation.
Huay Kwang district office has ordered the operator to remove oil residue from the drainage system to meet wastewater standards and implement measures to prevent oil leaks and vapor emissions within seven days.
