Rayong residents seek B5bn for spill damage

Pollution Control Department staff work to clean up the oil spill that washed ashore along a 2-kilometre stretch of Mae Ramphueng beach in Rayong, on Jan 29 last year. (Bangkok Post File Photo)

Hundreds of residents and small business owners in Rayong have filed lawsuits for damages worth 5 billion baht against Star Petroleum Refining (SPRC), PTT Global Chemical (PTTGC) and government agencies over an oil spill last year.

The lawsuits allege a lack of maintenance of an underwater oil pipeline owned by Star Petroleum, which leaked about 47,000 litres of oil into the ocean on Jan 25 last year, said the Rising Sun law firm, which is representing the group of 837 complainants.