Hotels to be first compensated: Pongsak
Hotels on Koh Samet will be the first to be compensated, following the oil spill that was washed ashore the island and drove away tourists.
Energy Minister Pongsak Ruktapongpisal said that hotels are directly hit by the oil spill and it is easiest to estimate their losses. They will receive the compensation without having to wait for the compensation committee's approval.
He noted that compensation for the fishermen and others would still need the committee's approval for their compensation.
The committee is chaired by the Rayong governor. It is to ensure fair compensation to the affected.
Meanwhile, PTT Global Chemical which was responsible for the oil spill will also have to pay state agencies the cost involved with the oil spill cleanup.
While saying that the ministry is waiting for the report from the investigative committee chaired by Khunying Thongtip Ratanarat on the cause of the oil leak, Pongsak said that a forensic team found a trace of exterior damage in the flexible hose. If the hose was damaged from the inside, it indicated an accident or the poor condition of the hose. However, the interior damage suggests a human error.
He also insisted that the volume of oil leak was only 50,000 litres, based on the calculation of the hose's diametre as well as pressure.
PTT Chairman Parnpree Bahiddha-Nukara said after a special board of directors meeting today that the group would need an improved set of measures, which could entail the operations, environmental rehabilitation and assistance to local residents on the island. The goal is to turn Koh Samet into the cleanest island in the future.
