Bangkok authorities have contained the oil spill on Rama III Road, having recovered 22,000 liters so far. They are preparing to excavate the ground to locate the leak and expect to close the work area for 2-3 days. Governor Chatchat confirmed that the oil has not flowed into public water sources and that evacuation is unnecessary.
8 Sep 2026 GMT+7 Mr. Chatchat Sitthiphan, Governor of Bangkok, visited the site to monitor the situation of oil contamination in the drainage system near Chuea Phloeng Road and under the Rama III Road elevated bridge, at the boundary between Khlong Toei and Yan Nawa districts. Bangkok Metropolitan Administration, together with the Ministry of Energy, Pollution Control Department, and private sector experts, is working urgently to control the contamination and closely monitor public safety.
Governor Chatchat stated during the visit that officials have blocked the drainage pipes to limit the flow of contaminated water, deployed oil-absorbing booms, and are continuously pumping contaminated water out of the drainage system. As a result, the residual oil in the drainage has significantly decreased, leaving only a thin film, while the oil smell has noticeably diminished. He affirmed that all pumped-out oil will be properly treated and that there will be absolutely no discharge into public water sources.
Following the site visit, Bangkok Metropolitan Administration held a meeting with relevant agencies to systematically monitor the situation. The meeting assigned the Director of Khlong Toei District as the incident commander for the entire area and designated the private oil company as the primary agency responsible for resolving the issue, analyzing the cause, and deploying staff to work around the clock.
Regarding recent operations, officials have successfully pumped and collected approximately 22,000 liters of residual oil from the drainage system. The recovered oil has been transported and disposed of according to prescribed safety procedures to rigorously prevent environmental and community impacts.
For fire prevention, the area is under 24-hour surveillance with strict control of access. Officials continuously measure the concentration of flammable vapors (LEL) on the road surface and surrounding areas. If LEL levels rise to approximately 15-20%, fire and rescue stations and the district office will be immediately notified to prepare forces and implement risk mitigation measures. Additionally, 18-liter reserve fire foam, fire trucks, and support personnel are ready at risk points during operations.
The meeting assessed that evacuation is currently unnecessary for nearby communities in both districts, but the situation will be closely monitored. For vulnerable groups such as children, the elderly, or those with respiratory conditions, it is recommended to wear carbon-filter masks to reduce odor exposure. Residents noticing any abnormalities can report through the Traffy Fondue system, available 24 hours.
The remediation plan includes deploying equipment and excavators to open the ground and inspect for defects in the oil pipeline. Coordination with the State Railway of Thailand and other utility agencies will be conducted in advance to prevent disruption to other pipeline systems. Public communication will be made to inform the community about the 2-3 day operational closure.
Today, Mr. Suchai Pongpianchob, Bangkok Metropolitan Council member for Khlong Toei District, Mr. Bamrung Samniangngam, Director of Khlong Toei District, executives, and officials from related agencies joined the site visit.
