Deputy PM denounces Map Ta Phut for accident

RAYONG, 7 December 2009 (NNT) – Deputy Prime Minister for Economic Affairs Korbsak Sabhavasu has condemned the management of Map Ta Phut industrial estate for their failure to solve the recent gas leakage accident in time.

Mr Korbsak, in his capacity as member of the four-party panel solving Map Ta Phut problems, on Sunday travelled to inspect the industrial estate. The deputy PM said he was not pleased with the Map Ta Phut management who badly tackled the gas leakage, resulting in many injuries in nearby communities.

Butane 1 gas leaked from a Singaporean ship at the Map Ta Phut deep seaport on Saturday. It was inhaled by residents in nearby villages, including Takuan and Ban Sai Thong. 17 people were hospitalized after they were unable to breathe, had chest pains, eye irritation, and blurred vision. According to the latest report, all of them have already return home.

The accident broke out while former Prime Minister Anand Panyarachun, as the four-party panel chairperson, travelled to visit the area to get first hand information from local residents suffering from pollution in the area. He was safe from the gas leakage.