BANGKOK, Thailand (24 Jan 2002) -- A massive oil spill in the Gulf of Thailand near Koh Samet is unlikely to reach the shores of the popular tourist island. The oil slick, which has already polluted a 10-kilometer stretch of Mae Ramphung beach southeast of Bangkok, has not moved for two days and officials are confident they can clean it up before it spreads to Koh Samet and other tourist resort destinations. Over 100,000 liters of oil spilled from the Panama-registered tanker Eastern Fortitude after it hit a rock in Rayong Bay. The Thai Royal Navy has deployed 11 boats to contain and clean up the three kilometer long slick but navy officials complained they were notified too late to prevent the damage caused at Mae Ramphung. | | Koh Samet Meanwhile, Thai authorities in areas where the oil has reached beaches have vowed to file a lawsuit against the ship's owner for economic damages that result from the spill. © CDNN - CYBER DIVER NEWS NETWORKSCUBA FORUMDISCUSS THIS TOPIC - Dive in and have your say at Scuba Forum |
