IN what is seen by many as a false economy on embarrassment, PTT appears to have informed the Thai Naval Authorities that the crude oil slick was under control, and figures of 90% clearance were used on Sunday (and as late as Monday morning) to allay any fear that the leaked oil might just hit land. And yet it has, it hit land as early as Sunday night on a beachy cove to the west of one of Thailand’s most beautiful and idyllic Islands, Ko Samet.