Bangkok Governor Orders Investigation Into Oil-Contaminated Drainage System
Oil contamination discovered in Bangkok's underground drainage system near Rama 3 bridge has prompted an investigation by city authorities, with Shell assisting cleanup efforts to remove thousands of liters of contaminated water and prevent
Bangkok Governor Chatchatchai Sittipan inspected the oil contamination in the drainage system on September 8, following a leak discovered on the night of September 7 near Fuel Road and beneath the Rama 3 elevated bridge at the Khlong Toei and Yan Nawa district boundary. The spill caused strong odors throughout the area.
According to Chatchatchai, investigations confirmed that oil residue remains trapped in the underground drainage system. Shell has supported cleanup efforts by pumping out approximately 5,000 liters of contaminated water and providing technical analysis of oil concentrations using specialized equipment.
Because the incident occurred in an underground drainage system still containing oil residue and odors, Bangkok authorities have restricted the contamination zone by blocking and controlling water flow across approximately 50 meters in a Y-shaped configuration. This containment strategy prevents oil from spreading into additional public water sources.
Initial assessments found no contamination beyond the designated control area. Current operations focus on pumping contaminated water out of the control zone for proper disposal and rapid restoration of normal conditions. Traffic in the area remains unaffected.
Chatchatchai assigned the Khlong Toei district chief to investigate the cause thoroughly, determining whether the spill resulted from illegal dumping or leakage from connected pipes and systems. The governor noted that the area was historically a fuel storage facility—the origin of Fuel Road's name—and preliminary checks found no data center in the vicinity. A coordinated meeting with relevant agencies is scheduled for 10:00 a.m. to analyze the situation, identify the cause, and establish systematic solutions.
Chatchatchai emphasized that Bangkok prioritizes preventing oil from entering public water sources and identifying causes to prevent recurrence. The public is encouraged to report any irregularities or oil odors in the area through the Traffy Fondue application.
