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Oil Spill Threatens Corals in Eastern Thailand

Vessels wait to clean oil spills caused by a leak from an undersea pipeline 20 km (12.4 miles) off Thailand's eastern coast at Mae Ramphueng beach in Rayong province, Thailand, January 30, 2022. Picture taken with a drone. REUTERS/Soe Zeya Tun
Vessels wait to clean oil spills caused by a leak from an undersea pipeline 20 km (12.4 miles) off Thailand's eastern coast at Mae Ramphueng beach in Rayong province, Thailand, January 30, 2022. Picture taken with a drone. REUTERS/Soe Zeya Tun
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Oil Spill Threatens Corals in Eastern Thailand

Vessels wait to clean oil spills caused by a leak from an undersea pipeline 20 km (12.4 miles) off Thailand's eastern coast at Mae Ramphueng beach in Rayong province, Thailand, January 30, 2022. Picture taken with a drone. REUTERS/Soe Zeya Tun
Vessels wait to clean oil spills caused by a leak from an undersea pipeline 20 km (12.4 miles) off Thailand's eastern coast at Mae Ramphueng beach in Rayong province, Thailand, January 30, 2022. Picture taken with a drone. REUTERS/Soe Zeya Tun

Authorities are rushing to prevent an oil spill in eastern Thailand from damaging fragile corals, after officials said on Sunday the leak that began last week was drifting towards more coastal areas.

Minister of Natural Resources and the Environment Varawut Silpa-archa said it was crucial to try to prevent the main mass of oil from reaching the shore at Ao Prao, a small bay on Koh Samet, which is a popular resort island.

"If the oil reached inside this area it could impact the beach and cause heavy damage to the shallow water corals," Varawut said, Reuters reported.

The oil began leaking from a pipeline owned by Star Petroleum Refining Public Company Limited (SPRC) (SPRC.BK) late on Tuesday.

Before it was brought under control, an estimated 50,000 litres (13,209 gallons) of oil escaped into the ocean 20 km (12 miles) from the coastline of eastern Thailand.

Mae Ramphueng Beach in Rayong province declared a disaster area after some oil came ashore there late on Friday.

The latest satellite image from the government's Geo-Informatics and Space Technology Development Agency (GISTDA) showed the oil spill has spread to cover 67 sq km (25.87 sq miles) area of the sea.

Most of the oil had formed a thin film rather than a thick oil slick, navy spokesman Vice Admiral Pokkrong Monthatphalin told reporters, citing aerial photographs.

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Forum in Riyadh Explores Opportunities to Advance Global Digital Influence Industry

The forum is the largest of its kind in the Kingdom. (SPA)
The forum is the largest of its kind in the Kingdom. (SPA)
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Forum in Riyadh Explores Opportunities to Advance Global Digital Influence Industry

The forum is the largest of its kind in the Kingdom. (SPA)
The forum is the largest of its kind in the Kingdom. (SPA)

Over 1,500 influencers gathered in Riyadh to explore opportunities for advancing the global digital influence industry during the Impact Makers Forum, which continued into its second and final day.
The event brought together international influencers with a combined audience exceeding one billion followers and featured in-depth discussions and panel sessions about the future of digital influence.
The forum attracted over 30,000 visitors, solidifying its position as a premier platform for sharing expertise and highlighting successful experiences across various fields of influence. It also gave international influencers the opportunity to explore Saudi Arabia’s landmarks and flagship projects through specially organized tours during their stay.
Participants emphasized the need to strengthen the private sector’s role in shaping influence both locally and globally. They called for fostering innovation and collaboration to achieve sustainable impact across all domains.
The discussions also highlighted the importance of incorporating social and humanitarian dimensions into influencers’ messaging on social media and other new media platforms. Speakers stressed the significance of supporting community and charitable initiatives, such as providing aid in crises, drawing attention to humanitarian issues, engaging in volunteer activities, and raising awareness about critical national and global concerns.
Eng. Rakan Alfaizi, CEO of One Group, highlighted the growth of Saudi Arabia’s media sector, which he said encourages more collaboration between private and public sectors to create sustainable influence.
Discussions throughout the forum explored innovative ways to balance real-life and virtual spaces, particularly to mitigate the adverse effects of excessive social media engagement on younger and emerging generations.
In a panel discussion titled “Balancing Life and Influence in Social Media,” Adwa AlDakheel emphasized the importance of organizing energy to prioritize quality over quantity in accomplishments, explaining that success stems from passion and dedication to one’s field.
Abdullah Al-Hussein stressed the need to separate work and life, allocate specific time for each, and manage time effectively to maintain balance.
The ImpaQ forum launched on Wednesday in Diriyah, attracting leading global influencers, experts, and content creators. The event, the largest of its kind in Saudi Arabia, spanned over 23,000 square meters and provided spaces for innovation, sharing impactful experiences, and creative workshops.