The situation worsened in the afternoon when the high tide deposited more oil on the beach. Environmental officials closed off the beach, but some swimmers were spotted walking through the gunk to get to the sea.
One officer told reporters who came to take photographs of the slick that a full investigation would be conducted to find out what had caused the oil spillage. He was taking samples to ascertain the source of the oil.
Yesterday’s oil spill at Hua Hin is not the first time this kind of environmental issue has spelled disaster for Thailand’s beaches in recent years. In July 2013, a pipe transferring oil from an underwater well to a tanker burst and the ensuing oil slick coated the sands of Coconut Bay on the island of Koh Samet.
Oil and debris washes up on Hua Hin Beach
News in Asia
Holidaymakers heading for Hua Hin Beach yesterday were dismayed to find an oil slick full of debris on the waterline. The slick covered swathes of beach all the way down from the town to the headland of Khao Takiab.