Samut Prakan provincial administration has posted on its Facebook page to confirm that the evacuation zone remainswithin a 5km radius of the chemical factory, which caught fire early Monday morning.

Thailand’s Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation (DDPM) also posted on Twitter asking the public only to follow official announcements issued by the governor’s office.

Meanwhile, Samut Prakan’s governor, Wanchai Kongkasem, said that, while they have been able to contain the fire, no one,except emergency services, is being allowed with a 5km radius of the plant, citing the danger which is still present.

The province has set up 8 evacuation centers, at schools, temples and government buildings, which are currently accommodating 1,892 evacuees, with the capacity for 400 more.

One person died in the incident and 33 others were injured.

Later in the day, Samut Prakan police sealed off parts of Lad Krabang and Bangna-Trad Road, heading toward the Kingkaew area, to allow free movement of emergency services.

According to ESRI (Thailand) Company, which specializes in local data, there are 206 housing estates, 99 condominiums, 52 government buildings, 34 petrol stations, 10 nurseries and two hospitals within a 5km radius of the burning factory.

The area of highest risk, which is three kilometres from the chemical factory, covers 72 housing estates, 12 government buildings, seven condominiums, 10 gas stations, one hospital and a nursery.

As of 9.30pm this evening, the fire at the factory is still burning

Source: Thai Public Broadcasting Service (Thai PBS)