Aid readied for oil-spill victims
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Emergency centres set up in Rayong; victims; tourism office wants message to be spread that 95 per cent of Koh Samet is unaffected
The centres have been set up in the three coastal districts affected, and those registering are advised to produce proof of damage they have sustained as a result of the leak, said provincial governor Wichit Chataphasit.
He said people involved in businesses such as restaurants, shuttle boats, hotels and accommodation, and vendors would be affected immediately and should offer evidence first. Those in the fishery and farm fishing sectors were likely to feel the effects later.
A list of additional documents needed to provide further proof for claims will be drawn up. Reports on applications and types of damage and damage costs will be submitted to the Interior Ministry on a daily basis, he said.
The provincial offices of tourism and sports have been asked to tell the public that 95 per cent of beaches and hotels on Koh Samet have not been affected by the spill and are still welcoming tourists, said Wichit.
A number of fishing trawler owners have already filed police complaints for damage to their livelihoods, said Chatchai Jaidee, a deputy head of the provincial fishery association. A meeting of about 400 members of the provincial fishing industry will be held this week to assess the damage and later seek help from authorities.
He said his group had not decided whether legal compensation would be sought from PTT Global Chemical, which owns the leaking pipeline. “What we want immediately from the PTTGC and authorities is to quickly get rid of the leaked oil from Koh Samet,” he said.
Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra, who is travelling overseas, will pay an inspection visit to Ao Phroa and nearby areas on Sunday.
