Bangkok:Attawich Suwannabhakdi, a party-list MP from the Ruam Thai Sang Chart Party, has urged immediate action to address the issue of toxic industrial waste to prevent incidents like the recent toxic waste accident in Prachinburi. During a House of Representatives meeting chaired by Speaker Sophon Saram, Attawich directed an oral question to Industry Minister Varawut Silpa-archa, seeking clarity on policies regarding scrap metal imports, steel quality, and industrial waste management.
According to Thai News Agency, Minister Varawut confirmed that the Ministry of Industry has no current policy to cancel scrap metal imports. The discussion highlighted concerns over imports, particularly following recent floods in Prachinburi that resulted in toxic waste contamination. The Director-General of the Customs Department emphasized the necessity of reviewing the scrap metal import ban, noting that such a ban could severely impact Thailand's automotive industry, which relies heavily on these imports due to its inability to produce sufficient domestic steel.
Thailand, as a signatory of the Basel Convention, prohibits the import of electronic waste and plastic scrap. Regulations by the Ministry of Commerce and the Ministry of Industry have been in place since 2025 to enforce this. However, the complexity of achieving acceptable contamination levels remains a challenge. Concerns were raised about the interpretation of these regulations, which has led to seizures of opened containers while unopened ones are often diverted to middlemen, resulting in hidden waste issues in Prachinburi.
Attawich also questioned the Minister regarding the recent resolution by the Thai Industrial Standards Institute (TISI) to limit specifications on new steel reinforcing bars, emphasizing the need for a ministerial announcement to enforce these standards. He further advocated for the Industrial Waste Management Act, which he has drafted to elevate the waste management system and incorporate provisions from the pending Electronic Waste Act. This act aims to establish a Sustainable Industry Fund to aid legal challenges and expedite the legislative process with the Prime Minister's support.