After the finding of cesium-137 contamination at a plant in Prachin Buri province this week, Prime Minister Gen Prayut Chan-o-cha reassured local people of their safety and directed officials to perform checks.
According to Prime Minister’s Office Minister Thanakorn Wangboonkongchana, the premier has instructed relevant agencies to check industrial sites and has stated that the government is working fast to remedy the issue at Kabin Buri.
The declaration came after a cesium-137 radioactive isotope cylinder, which had gone missing last week, was discovered during a check of steel smelting factories in Kabin Buri district’s industrial sector. Afterwards, Prachin Buri province officials announced the closure of the smelting factory and imposed a lockdown on the area, ordering all personnel to vacate the site for safety concerns.
Meanwhile, the Pollution Control Department completed its assessment of radiation levels at six places near the steel industry and determined that none of the sites were affected. Authorities are presently investigating the loss of the cylinder and how it was handled at the district metal factory.
