Officials Intensify Efforts to Locate Oil Pipeline Leak Under Rama 3 Road

Bangkok: Officials are continuing their search for the leak in an oil pipeline under the pillars of the Rama 3 elevated road. Although the source of the leak has been found, they have not yet been able to remove the pipe cover. According to Thai News Agency, progress is being made in the investigation of the oil spill on Chuea Phloeng Road in Khlong Toei district. Yesterday, a suspected source of the leak was found in the soil. Experts and a private company are working to remove the pipe cover from under the Rama III elevated highway pillars to locate the leak. Throughout the day, a daily meeting was held at the incident command center in Khlong Toei district. Mr. Bamrung Samniangngam, the Khlong Toei District Director, revealed that last night's operation could not remove the pipe cover as planned because it is made of strong steel. Today, experts will gradually cut the cover into smaller 5-centimeter pieces to remove it and locate the source of the oil leak. The strong oil smell around the area has decrea sed compared to yesterday after the installation of oil vapor treatment equipment. This equipment helps absorb and filter vapors, reducing the odor and the spread of volatile organic compounds, a measure taken to mitigate the impact on the surrounding community. This morning, the Bangkok Governor live-streamed from the site to monitor the work of officials and expedite the resolution of the problem. He recounted that since Wednesday, drainage pipes have been cleaned from the initial point where oil leakage was discovered, including a manhole under the elevated road's support pillars. However, oil seepage continued. The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) decided to inspect the drainage pipes, leading to further excavation and the discovery of what appears to be the source of the leak at the support pillar under the elevated road. Officials attempted to remove the pipe cover but were unsuccessful. The previously found oil stains are believed to be old oil that has accumulated over time, and further inve stigation by experts is needed.