In just one month, there have been two explosions aboard oil tankers on the Chao Phraya River -- which flows through Bangkok and then into the Gulf of Thailand. The accidents claimed two lives, and injured a number of others, as well as alarming river community residents and users of the river. However, the reaction of the Marine Department leaves much to be desired.
On the morning of March 9, the Smooth Sea 2 oil tanker exploded as it docked at a pier in Samut Prakan province. Owned by petrochemical refiner IRPC, the tanker was carrying 1.8 million litres of petrol and diesel oil from a refinery complex in Rayong.
