Mr. Phairoj Chotikaset, the Labor Ministry’s Secretary, revealed the case of an explosion inside an ice factory in Bang Lamung District, Chonburi Province, on April 17. The incident resulted in numerous injuries and ammonia leakage within a 1-kilometer radius, necessitating the evacuation of nearby residents in Bang Lamung. According to reports received from the Chonburi Provincial Office of Labor Protection and Welfare, there was a chemical leak on April 17 at 11:30 PM at the limited partnership ice factory in Bang Lamung, located at 54 Moo 12, Nong Prue Sub-district, Bang Lamung District, Chonburi Province, engaged in ice production, with Ms. Phasuk Phatansin as the managing director.
Urgent! Explosion at Bang Lamung Ice Factory, Ammonia Leak Injures Over 50 People. Revealing the Numbers of Ammonia Victims, Chonburi Ice Factory Leaks Continue to Emit Chemical Odors. Mr. Prasit Pattanakaro, Chonburi Provincial Office of Labor Protection and Welfare, along with labor inspectors, conducted an investigation. Mr. Boonan Pattansin, the manager of the Bang Lamung Ice Factory, confirmed that the factory employs a total of 170 workers, with 10 workers on duty at the time of the incident… According to reports, the incident was caused by a leak in the ammonia storage tank in the cooling system, which is currently under investigation for leakage points of ammonia. The factory has suspended production in the affected area and is receiving ice from other branches for normal distribution.
Mr. Phairoj stated that there are currently two workers still receiving treatment and are expected to be discharged from the hospital today. Additionally, there are affected villagers in the nearby area, resulting in approximately 111 injured, mostly suffering from respiratory irritation.
At present, the situation is back to normal, with a slight lingering smell of ammonia. The factory is spraying water periodically to dilute the ammonia into the drainage pipe as much as possible, and they assure that they will continue to take care of those affected by the incident…
Mr. Phairoj further stated that from this case, there are laws involved, as follows: 1. Occupational Safety, Health and Environment Act, B.E. 2554, and 2. Ministerial Regulations on Standards for the Management, Operation, and Enforcement of Occupational Safety, Health and Environmental Control Measures Related to Hazardous Chemicals, B.E. 2556.
“However, the Provincial Office of Labor Protection and Welfare in Chonburi has already explained the enforcement of the Occupational Safety, Health, and Environmental Act to the employers, who understand it well. A summons has been issued to the employers to meet with labor inspectors to provide accurate information on April 30 for further legal proceedings,” Mr. Phairoj said
