Thai Minister Orders Pollution Probe After Oil Slicks in Floods
Thai Natural Resources and Environment Minister Suthichai Chomklin ordered the Pollution Control Department to take full legal action after oil slicks were found mixed with floodwater in Prachin Buri. Officials have filed a police complaint to trace the source of the contamination, which officials suspect originated in the tambon Hua Wa area, and pledged to prosecute any violators under environmental laws.
On October 2, 2069, Minister Suthichai Chomklin said he had received a report from Dr. Surinthorn Worakitthamrong, Director-General of the Pollution Control Department, regarding the progress of an investigation into rainbow‑like oil slicks from used lubricant oil that had mixed with floodwater in tambon Hua Wa, amphoe Si Maha Phot, Prachin Buri. The slicks were observed in the areas of Ban Sa Ma Kheo, Ban Ku Lam Phan and Ban Khok Wat, raising concerns about possible effects on local residents and the environment. The minister emphasized that the government’s policy places pollution prevention alongside public safety and quality of life, especially during flood conditions when pollutants can be carried by water and spread widely, and ordered the department to accelerate its inquiry, collect evidence and pursue strict legal action against any offenders. Dr. Surinthorn added that the Provincial Environment and Pollution Control Office No. 7 (Saraburi) had filed a criminal complaint with the Si Maha Phot police station to investigate those responsible, and that preliminary checks pointed to a possible origin in tambon Hua Wa. He noted that the incident actually occurred on September 28, 2069 around 11:00 a.m., and that charges have been laid under the factory law, hazardous substances law and related statutes, with police lieutenant Anuchon Chanjek of Si Maha Phot police station assigned to verify the facts and continue the legal process. Minister Suthichai concluded by saying his ministry will monitor the case closely, coordinate with relevant agencies to assess and mitigate environmental impacts, and uphold the principle that both people and nature must be able to survive, insisting that polluters bear full responsibility for the harm they cause.
