The Nong Phawa Rak Group, Bang But Subdistrict, Ban Khai District, Rayong Province, led more than 300 villagers who were affected by a fire at a warehouse storing hazardous chemical waste to meet with the Governor of Rayong Province to help solve 4 urgent problems after passing. It’s been 3 weeks and we still haven’t been able to deal with the crisis of the smell of smoke and toxic residues. It made village monks sick with respiratory diseases, eye and nose irritation, and itchy rashes on the skin. Call for the removal of chemical waste from the area as soon as possible. The city governor promised to coordinate with the Department of Industrial Works to bring 3 contractors to expedite the transport, starting on the first day, 18 May, for people living near the chemical waste warehouse of Win Process Company, Bang But Subdistrict, Ban Khai District, Rayong Province, where the fire occurred. It caught fire several days ago. Continue to call on government agencies to solve the problem of the effects of toxic substances. After monks and villagers used the water, a rash with clear blisters appeared on the skin. They are afraid that there may be contaminants left. Officials from the Department of Groundwater Resources had to bring a groundwater drilling truck to collect samples of groundwater and soil around the warehouse and send them to confirm the progress at 11:00 a.m. on May 15. Representatives of community leaders along with villagers and the Rak Nong Phawa group over 300 people, led by Ms. Phongphan Charoenrom, Kamnan of Bang But Subdistrict. Gathered at Wat Nong Phawa, Bang But Subdistrict, Ban Khai District to discuss ways of fighting and calling on relevant agencies to expedite the problem of moving chemical waste out of the area. Along with bringing a six-wheeled truck to install as a stage, speakers to amplify the sound and signs with various messages such as “I beg the governor to help the people of Nong Phawa”, “Win-processed chemicals only kill”, “Help, it stinks”. A lot”, “Stop stuffing carcinogenic substances into our lungs” and “Factory owner fucks big noodles” etc. Then in the afternoon, a group of villagers brought a complaint letter to Mr. Traipop Wongtrairat, the governor of Rayong Province, to expedite action. Solving problems and suffering for the people Because the warehouse for storing chemical waste is in the area of Village No. 4, Ban Nong Phawa, only half a kilometer from Wat Nong Phawa. Ms. Phongphan, a representative of the villagers, revealed that this warehouse illegally stores a large amount of dangerous chemicals. The fire has been burning since April 22, and 3 weeks have passed and it still hasn’t been able to stop the effects of this crisis. People in Bangbut Subdistrict and nearby areas are suffering from the smell of dangerous chemicals. It has an impact on well-being and health. Respiratory system disease, burning eyes, nose, skin inflammation, and it is not yet known what the long-term health symptoms will be, said the Bangbut Subdistrict headman. The villagers want the Governor of Rayong to urgently assist with 4 things: 1. Request that a working committee be established to determine a management plan within 7 days and request that the first tank of hazardous chemical waste be started moving out of the area within 30 days. days. As for the transportation of all hazardous chemicals, arrangements must be completed within 90 days. 2. Request a health examination to look for toxic contaminants in the body. Passed a detailed doctor’s diagnosis. Please report the total number of patients with respiratory problems and skin rashes at this time. And what is the follow-up treatment plan? 3. Request that personal protective equipment that protects against toxic substances be provided immediately to the affected people. Including monks and students at Ban Nong Phawa School and 4. Request to measure air quality 24 hours a day and publicize it to the public through boards or public relations signs. In order to plan further self-defense, Mr. Tripop revealed after receiving the letter that Initially, the province set up a working group to receive complaints from the fire incident. More than 700 people have registered, using the local budget to compensate 3,000 baht each, and setting up a working group to follow up on assistance and compensation for damages between those affected and Winprocess Company. Regarding the initial transport of chemical waste, I spoke with the Department of Industrial Works and learned that on May 17, 3 chemical waste disposal contractors will be brought to inspect the area in order to transport chemical waste in the factory and will expedite the transport on that date. May 18 by bringing the money to be deposited at the court in the amount of 4.6 million baht to take initial action. The rest will be given to the Department of Industrial Works to expedite. Move it first and then ask for the central budget later. The governor of Rayong also said that as for the health check for the people. Especially the monks had itchy rashes. Initially, a mobile medical team was set up to inspect the health of the people and 15 monks at Nong Phawa Temple. As for the initial procurement of anti-toxic equipment, 20,000 sets of protective masks were requested from the private sector, giving 10,000 sets to village headmen to distribute first and the remaining 10 sets. ,000 sets reserved at Ban Khai District If it’s not enough, I’ll ask for more. While measuring air quality 24 hours a day, we are now requesting air quality measuring equipment from the Pollution Control Department to be stationed at Bangbut Subdistrict Administrative Organization. But if it is thought that it is not enough, we will coordinate with IRPC Company and The Industrial Estate Authority of Thailand requests a mobile vehicle to measure air quality in the area. To build confidence among villagers to read All “Thairath newspaper columns” here
