Environment Ministry Orders Cleanup of Oil-Contaminated Water at Bangkok Data Center
Thailand's Environment Ministry ordered accelerated cleanup of oil-contaminated water at a Bangkok data center after pollution was detected in wastewater ponds and drainage pipes near the Samsen Canal.
Environment Minister Suchat Chomklin has ordered the Pollution Control Department to return to the Rama IX area and accelerate efforts to address wastewater and oil-contaminated sediment at the DAMAC Digital Thailand data center (BKK 01). The order came after contamination was detected in the facility's wastewater holding pond and in public drainage pipes outside the center.
The minister has instructed authorities to properly dispose of oil-contaminated waste, prevent contaminated water from entering the Samsen Canal, and continuously monitor environmental quality until the area is fully restored to normal conditions.
Pollution Control Department director Surin Worakitdamrong reported that on September 6, 2569, at 10:00 a.m., the department and Huai Khwang District Office inspected the site and monitored treatment and disposal of contaminated wastewater and sediment. The facility had hired Jenko Limited to properly treat and dispose of the oil-contaminated waste.
After pumping and removing contaminated water and sediment from the holding pond, testing showed volatile organic compounds (VOCs), hydrogen sulfide gas (H₂S), and lower explosive limit (LEL) readings were all 0 ppm, indicating the pumping significantly reduced contamination and odors.
Outside the drainage pipe, approximately 30 cubic meters of contaminated wastewater was removed and about 60 percent of waste was cleared from the area, reducing oil vapor odors. VOC levels that had measured 3 ppm on September 3 dropped to 1.2 ppm.
However, workers discovered the volume of contaminated wastewater was larger than initially estimated. As waste transport trucks became full, operations were halted at 7:00 p.m. Boards and sandbags were placed to block the drainage pipe and prevent oil-contaminated water from flowing into the Samsen Canal, particularly in case of heavy rain.
Jenko Limited is scheduled to resume pumping and treatment operations on September 7, 2569 at 2:00 p.m. The Pollution Control Department will continue close monitoring and environmental quality testing to ensure contamination does not spread and does not affect public water sources, with all efforts focused on completing restoration and returning the area to normal conditions.
