Kathu Municipality was called to the Thungthong ice factory at 6:34am this morning to respond to an ammonia leak coming from a pipe within the factory.
Municipality Officials arrived at the factory together with officials from the Department of Disaster and Prevention Mitigation to investigate where the leak was coming from.
It was noted that local residents said that the smell was so strong that it caused eye and nose irritation.
Whilst checks were being carried out, more officials arrived at the scene with fire and water trucks and an emergency vehicle from the Kusoldharm rescue foundation.
Kathu Mayor Chai-anan Suthikul said that officials who investigated the incident had to wear protective clothing and equipment until they found the leak which was coming from a pipe connected to a gas tank.
“While officials were finding the source of the leak the medical unit distributed face masks to passing motorcyclists and residents. It wasn’t until 9am that officials from the Department of Disaster and Prevention Mitigation managed to find the leak and shut of the valve to make the area safe,” said Mayor Chai-anan.
“There were no reports of any injury or property damage from this incident, but the factory had to be shutdown for at least one day until the leak is fixed,” he added.