THAILAND: Laem Chabang Port and neighbouring areas have now been declared disaster zones after the leakage of sodium persulfate chemical. Dozens of people have already been admitted into hospital and more than 200 families have been forced to evacuate the area.

"We issued this declaration to control the situation and facilitate assistance," Chon Buri Governor Seni Jittakasem said yesterday.

The chemical, which severely irritates the skin, eyes and respiratory system, leaked from a container at the Laem Chabang Port at around 3pm on Wednesday. At least 41 people, including port officials, were in hospital with symptoms like nausea and chest pains after exposure to the chemical.

As of yesterday evening, the disaster had already claimed one life - 65yearold Sunee Phupetch died at the Ao Udom Hospital. Officials are conducting an autopsy on her body, and the results should be released in the next two days. The woman, who lived near the port, was said to have had some underlying medical conditions and was taken to hospital when she started vomiting.

A mobile medical unit was also dispatched to the Laem Chabang community yesterday to monitor conditions.