Governor Chatchat provided an update on the oil stains found on Fuel Road, highlighting the urgent excavation to identify the source of the oil leak, stressing safety as the primary concern, and confirming continuous 24-hour monitoring.
On 9 Sep 2026 GMT+7, Governor Chatchat Sittipunt of Bangkok reported progress in the investigation of oil contamination found in the drainage system near Fuel Road at the boundary of Khlong Toei and Yan Nawa districts. Since yesterday (8 Sep), officials have pumped approximately 20,000 liters of liquid containing both water and oil from the system. Preliminary estimates suggest about 20% of this volume, or around 4,000 liters, is oil. Official analysis is pending to confirm the exact amount.
Governor Chatchat said authorities are currently investigating the hypothesis that a leak may be originating from a nearby underground oil pipeline about 14 inches in diameter, used to transport various types of oil and in service for approximately 30 years. The pipeline area falls under the jurisdiction of the State Railway of Thailand, so permission must be obtained before excavating the soil, which is about 2 meters deep, to inspect the pipeline.
The affected area is initially confined to about 50 meters along the drainage pipe or roughly 1,000 square meters. Officials have placed sandbags to block the pipe at both upstream and downstream points to prevent oil from spreading to other areas and continue pumping out the liquid. The extracted liquid will be handed over to specialized agencies and companies for proper separation and disposal following correct procedures.
Regarding safety, multiple agencies including Bangkok Metropolitan Administration, Ministry of Energy, Pollution Control Department, and oil experts are monitoring the situation around the clock. They continuously measure oil vapor concentrations and Lower Explosive Limit (LEL) values to assess fire risk. Currently, these levels remain controlled and safe. However, the public is advised to avoid smoking or creating sparks near the area for safety reasons.
Governor Chatchat added that after the company managing the system reduced the pressure inside the oil pipeline, the amount of oil and associated odor in the area has gradually decreased. If the leak is confirmed, lowering the pressure will help reduce oil discharge from the pipe. Once the source is stopped, managing the remaining oil in the drainage system will be easier because the affected area has already been contained.
"This is still a hypothesis that requires expert confirmation, but several factors point in this direction. Today, we will excavate the soil; if a leak is found, we can immediately fix the source. The most important thing is safety. We have oil pipeline experts, the Ministry of Energy, Pollution Control Department, private sector specialists, and Bangkok authorities working together on site. Bangkok Metropolitan Administration's role is to facilitate and care for the public. Technical matters must be confirmed by experts. We do not want the public to panic," Governor Chatchat said.