An oil spill that occurred on Saturday about 20 km (12 miles) off the coast of Thailand is having an extreme impact on tourism, Reuters reported.
Tourism Minister Somsak Phurisisak expressed his concerns regarding the impact of the spill on tourism.
“I’m very concerned, I didn’t think this spill would impact tourism in such an extreme way.”
Operator of the pipeline PTT Global Chemical said that the leak was plugged but they will need more time to finish the clean-up operations.
The chairman of the provincial tourist association said that the tourists are leaving Thai beaches and canceling their bookings.
According to the government spokesman, an aircraft is releasing chemical dispersants over the oil slick in the worst hit Ao Prao beach.
If the oil spill reaches mainland it could impact fisheries and form chemical contamination in the food chain.
[mappress]
Subsea World News Staff, July 31, 2013; Image: Greenpeace