Social media users furious
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Thousands join the "RIP Koh Samet" Facebook campaign; people urged to donate hair
SOCIAL MEDIA are buzzing with comments sympathising with residents of Koh Samet and attacking PTT Global Chemical Plc (PTTGC) for being socially irresponsible.
Komatra Chuengsatiansup, director of the Public Health Ministry’s Society and Health Institute, changed his cover photo on Facebook to black with the message: “RIP Koh Samet and mourn PTT’s lack of social responsibility” in response to the oil slick that washed onto the island’s Ao Phrao beach on Sunday night.
Mana Treelayapewat, associate dean of Communications Arts at the University of the Thai Chamber of Commerce, said he too opted for a black cover photo on his Facebook page because he was disheartened by PTTGC’s handling of the oil spill. He added that PTTGC’s emergency response to the situation was not good enough.
“Nature is destroyed by development if there is no secure prevention plan or actions to thoroughly address a situation like this. Usually, the authorities and businesses focus on development without caring about preserving nature for our children,” he said.
Also, PTTGC’s mismanagement of the oil leak crisis shows that its sustainability programmes are not sincere, he said.
“The company spends a lot of money on its social responsibility programmes, but in reality the firm does not really care. It should be using money to conserve nature instead of promoting its own image,” Mana said.
He added that he had asked his social-network buddies to become part of the “RIP Koh Samet” campaign and voice their dissatisfaction with PTTGC’s indifference. A lot of Facebook users have already joined the campaign.
Suthathorn Sutthison, an e-business and e-marketing consultant, said on his Facebook page that this oil spill was clear proof that sustainability schemes launched by oil firms are only a marketing gimmick. “Social responsibility is a tough job,” he said.
Many people have also launched a campaign asking for people to donate their hair to help absorb the oil. Those who wish to join the clean-up operation can gather at Mae Pim Beach today, while those who cannot are being urged to find as much human hair as possible.
