An ongoing investigation suggests negligence might have caused a major chemical leakage at Laem Chabang Port on Wednesday.
The leakage of sodium persulfate affected the health of many people. Dozens, including port officials, were hospitalised.
The incident is also being blamed for the death of a woman who lived near the port.
"The chemical must be kept at about 25 Celsius," deputy national police commissioner General Jongrak Juthanont said yesterday.
"However, it was left in a place where the temperature soared to 30 degrees."
He said such negligent behaviour carried a jail term of up to 10 years and a fine of between Bt2,000 and Bt3,000.
Jongrak said the investigation was now focusing on the role of Eastern Sea Terminal Laem Chabang (Esco) and Laem Chabang Port.
Esco operates the B3 zone of the port, where the leakage took place.
"We are gathering evidence," Jongrak said.
Locals complained that the port had failed to alert the neighbouring community right after the leakage took place.
"Why did the port take so long to inform us?" said Nipa Huadheng, who lives in the Laem Chabang Kao community.
Located close to the port, all 1,887 residents there are feeling the pinch.
Hundreds have refused to return home, so as to avoid the effects of the sodium persulfate. Last night, they chose to remain at a public pavilion prepared by the Laem Chabang municipality.
Following the leakage, more than 70 people needed treatment for symptoms related to the chemical.
Many of them had nausea, vomiting and rashes. Some had fainted.
Seven remained hospitalised as of press time yesterday.
At least one fatality has been linked to the incident, although further examination is needed to determine the exact cause of the woman's death.
The deceased lived in the Laem Chabang Kao community. She was among the people evacuated in response to the leakage.
"The affected people will get help and compensation," Laem Chabang mayor Boonlert Nomsilp said yesterday.
The Port Authority of Thailand has promised to pay Bt10,000 to the dead woman's family. It has also offered to provide Bt5,000 to each affected family.
"Even though the exact cause of the death and the chemical leakage have not yet been identified, we have decided to give assistance to the affected people first," said acting director Sunida Sakulrattana.
She added that the authority would later seek compensation from the parties held responsible for the chemical leakage.
The Port Authority of Thailand, a state enterprise, owns Laem Chabang Port.
Each affected family will also receive financial assistance of more than Bt3,000 from other sources.
Laem Chabang Port and its neighbouring areas remain disaster zones.
"The disaster-zone declaration will be removed only when relevant authorities confirm that the quality of the air, water and environment here are within safe limits," Boonlert said.