Siripha, Deputy Spokesperson of the Democrat Party, urged the government to amend the Ministry of Energy's regulations to implement a real-time detection system following an oil pipeline leak in Khlong Toei.
On 20 Sep 2026 GMT+7, at the Democrat Party headquarters, Ms. Siripha Intawichian, Deputy Spokesperson of the Democrat Party, addressed the issue of an oil pipeline leak on Fuel Road in Khlong Toei district, where a 6.6-centimeter crack was recently found on the pipe casing. She stated that relevant agencies should urgently inspect the entire pipeline system's quality to prevent future incidents. She proposed revising the ministerial regulations on oil pipeline transport, based on the repair plan for the leak on the Rama 3 oil pipeline presented by the Ministry of Energy, to include additional considerations for regulation improvements as follows.
1. Authorized companies should add visible markers above road surfaces along the pipeline route to inform the public that hazardous material pipelines are buried underground.
2. Intelligent pigging inspections should be conducted along the entire pipeline every two years, with test results disclosed publicly so that residents near the pipeline can access information about safety and risks related to the oil transport pipeline.
3. Oil pipeline companies should install a Real-time Continuous Leak Detection System throughout the entire pipeline.
Implement a real-time detection system.
“I emphasize safety during pipeline repairs because oil remains inside the pipes during repair, posing potential danger to residents along the route. Regarding the plan to perform pressure testing after repairs, I stress that testing must comply with the 2021 Ministerial Regulation on Oil Pipeline Transport, which mandates testing according to standards published by the American Society of Mechanical Engineers, specifically ASME B31.4 for liquid pipeline transport. The testing requires a minimum pressure of 1.25 times the pipeline's design pressure maintained for at least four hours. Previous tests conducted by the company did not meet these regulatory requirements. Ensuring repairs are conducted safely and in strict accordance with the Ministry's standards is essential,” Ms. Siripha said.
