Thai Resort Owners Sue State Owned Company for Oil Spill

By George Backwell July 23, 2014

Business owners on Koh Samet island are suing a state-owned petroleum enterprise for the oil spill that polluted the resort island's beaches last year. More than 50,000 litres of crude oil leaked from pipeline operated by PTT Global Chemical in July 2013 and blackened several beaches on Koh Samet island, reports Khaosod English.

Pitsanu Khemaphan, president of the Restaurant and Hotel Association on Koh Samet, arrived at Rayong Provincial Court with his lawyer to file a lawsuit against PTT Global Chemical for the incident, demanding 300 million baht (US$9.4 million) in compensation.

The suit was co-filed by owners of Nimmanoradee Resort, Samet Cabana World Resort, and Heaven Resort, who say their businesses were severely affected by the oil spill. The case has been accepted by court officials for further procedure.

Source: Khaosod English