Firm suspended after chemical fire in Thailand’s Rayong province

A fire at the plastic precursor plant of Thai Plastic and Chemicals Plc in the Map Ta Phut Industrial Estate in Muang district of Thailand's Rayong province on Sunday. (Photo: Rayong office of the Public Relations Department)
On Sunday, there was a fire at Thai Plastic and Chemicals Plc’s Plastic Precursor Plant in the Map Ta Phut Industrial Estate in the Thai state of Rayong. ( Photo: Rayong office of the Public Relations Department )

Following a fire that occurred on Sunday around the company’s vinyl chloride production unit, the Industrial Estate Authority of Thailand ( IEAT ) has mandated that Thai Plastic and Chemicals Plc’s location in Rayong be partially suspended.

On Sunday at 12.10pm, the company reported a leak of a forerunner for its vinyl chloride production at its shrub on I-1 Road in the industrial land in the Muang area, according to a statement from the company.

Fire and smoke were brought on by the leaking. At 3.05 p.m., the leak was stopped, and the hearth was apparently contained. There were no deaths.

According to Sumet Tangprasert, the IEAT’s acting government, Section 39 of the Stock Act mandated a partial expulsion of factory activities.

The IEAT recommended that third-party experts examine the safety and inspection of the production of vinyl salt copolymer (VCM) and other related products.

The company’s health and fire methods should be inspected to avoid repeat incidents.

Environmental factors near the affected areas should be carefully monitored, and chemicals may be treated effectively in the waste.

People who were impacted by the event may receive proper compensation and a follow-up procedure.

Before moving into the closure areas, the mill must first obtain IEAT approval before beginning any action. Short- and long-term prevention measures should be in place.

According to Mr. Sumet, an atmosphere quality test conducted by the Environmental Monitoring and Control Centre revealed that wind areas ‘ Material levels still needed to be monitored for the duration of a 24-hour period.

No polluted water was found in the company’s drainage sewer, he said.

Mr. Sumet added that in order to maintain health, the business has been ordered to perform additional air excellent tests in 40 local communities.

Mayor of Map Ta Phut, Thawin Phothibuathong, announced yesterday that the situation had stabilized and that the evacuation position had been lifted.