Energy facilities nationwide beef up security measures

BANGKOK, 22 April 2010 (NNT) — Security measures are heightened at oil and gas facilities nationwide after a grenade was fired at an oil depot in Pathum Thani province earlier this morning.

According to Energy Minister Wannarat Channukul, increased security will be enforced at all energy related facilities including gas separation plants, gas tanks, electrical wires and cables.

Mr Wannarat has also coordinated with the security affairs and has implemented measures to heighten outside security.

The police has been deployed to set up checkpoints including areas prone to attacks, Mr Wannarat said. A meeting was held by the Department of Energy Business today and was attended by representatives from more than 100 energy businesses to discuss security measures, including installing a security camera outside the premises.

The grenade launched at the oil depot this morning belonged to Thai Petroleum Pipeline Co (Thappline) which caused a fire that was extinguished by authorities within an hour.

According to authorities, the attack took place at 02.39 hrs. Based on preliminary investigations, the bomb launched was speculated to be M79 grenades.

Meanwhile, the Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand (EGAT) has also beefed up security measures earlier this week following the bombing attack at the Wang Noi Power Plant in Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya province that occured last week.