Govt promises action on Map Ta Phut

"I'm confident we can quickly see what we want without having to wait for a year. When troubles are eased, we then can stop further damage. The government is ready to approve budgets speedily," Korbsak said.

An eight-member screening committee will review projects proposed by the provincial authorities.

In three months, the capability of waste-treatment facilities should be improved, he said.

The government had started with a small budget to address a series of toxic waste problems, while an additional budget would be readied soon to deal with the problem comprehensively.

Korbsak will visit Rayong in two weeks to check on the progress.

The Pollution Control Department will also be conducting another test for toxic contamination within the estate on November 25 after a non-governmental organisation found pollution levels beyond the legal limit.

The department's director-general Suphat Wangwongwatthana said the recent measurement of volatile organic compounds by the Burara Niwes Foundation was under different technical criteria, with results exceeding legal limits by 30 times.

The department would employ the same instrument used by the foundation, but under the correct technical criteria provided in writing by the company importing the device.

The excesses found in the foundation's measurement were also influenced by changes in climate and weather during the time it was held, he said.

Foundation director Phenchome Sae-tang said the company's technicians were present at the foundation's measurement and adjusted the device themselves.

She said the foundation took a spot reading of the toxin levels, while the department's standard was to take measurements over a 24-hour period.