Thai PM orders safety check at factories nationwide

BANGKOK, May 7 (TNA) - Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra has ordered industry ministry to strictly checkup factories nationwide including the renewal of factory licences in the wake of Sunday’s chemical leak at Aditya Birla Chemicals in Hemaraj Industrial Estate in Thailand’s eastern Rayong province. Over 100 people were hospitalised due to the chemical leak while the Aditya Birla Chemicals has been ordered to suspend its operation temporarily. Speaking to reporters Monday, Yingluck said she has ordered the ministry to assess the chemical leak at Aditya Birla Chemicals and to conduct chemical contamination test at factories nationwide every three months to ensure safety of their production process. She said the test result will be critical for the renewal of operating licences of factories. Meanwhile, the Thai premier said she has also ordered the Industry Ministry and the Interior Ministry to set up a center to help victims of the explosion and fire at a factory in Map Ta Phut industrial estate in Rayong province last Saturday, which killed12 people and injured142 others. (TNA)