PCD Director-General Surin Worakitthamrong said the Environmental and Pollution Control Office 15 in Phuket was assigned to closely monitor seawater quality after the cargo vessel sank off Rawai, said an official report posted after 11pm last night (Feb 11).
Results from the second round of seawater testing conducted on Tuesday (Feb 10) at five popular beaches – Rawai, Nai Harn, Kata Noi, Kata Yai and Karon – found no evidence of oil slicks on the sea surface or along the shoreline at any of the sampling points.
Water quality indicators at all locations, including pH, dissolved oxygen and total dissolved solids, were within national coastal seawater quality standards. The PCD said the results showed seawater at all tested beaches met Category 4 standards, meaning the water is suitable for recreation.
At Rawai Beach, samples taken from two locations in the northern and central areas showed normal seawater conditions with no visible contamination. Similar results were recorded at Nai Harn Beach.
At Kata Noi and Kata Yai beaches, monitoring teams found no traces of oil on the surface or shoreline, with water quality values remaining within acceptable limits. Karon Beach was also tested at both the southern and northern sections, with no oil slicks detected at either location and seawater quality meeting recreational standards.
In addition to field testing, the PCD used its Oil Map mathematical model to assess the potential movement of oil in the event of a spill from the sunken vessel. The model indicated that any oil slick would drift southwest from the wreck site into open sea and would not move towards the Thai coastline.
The department said it will continue to monitor seawater conditions along Phuket’s coastline as a precaution, but confirmed there is currently no impact on beach safety or marine water quality for tourists and residents.