Rayong: Varawut Silpa-archa, Minister of Industry, is taking legal action against the source factory after foam waste was found overflowing from a wall and flowing into a village in Bo Win. The waste was discovered to be from a waste sorting point. He revealed the illegal shipment originated from a refrigerator manufacturing factory in Rayong and ordered expedited legal action.
According to Thai News Agency, Mr. Varawut Silpa-archa instructed Mr. Poryot Glankrong, Director-General of the Department of Industrial Works, to urgently investigate the incident. Heavy rain in the Bo Win Subdistrict caused foam waste to flood into the walls of Boonrak View 2 Village in Si Racha District, Chonburi Province, resulting in the collapse and damage of houses. The Director-General reported that he had coordinated with the Chonburi Provincial Industrial Office to inspect the site. They found that the incident occurred in an open area with no buildings, raised with soil, used as a waste sorting yard operated by Fang Sang Circular Economy Management Co., Ltd., located in Moo 7, Bo Win Subdistrict. This company is contracted to sort waste such as refrigerator frames and doors using approximately 10 manual workers without machinery, not meeting the requirements of a factory under the Factory Act B.E. 2535 (1992).
Mr. Varawut further stated that the waste that accumulated and overflowed the village walls due to heavy rain consisted of 2,351 refrigerator frames and 20,002 refrigerator doors. These items were reportedly removed from a factory, Midea Intelligent Manufacturing (Thailand) Co., Ltd., in Mab Kha Subdistrict, Nikhom Pattana District, Rayong Province, which manufactures refrigerators and related parts. The removal occurred between January and February 2026, constituting illegal removal of waste by the Rayong factory without permission, violating the Ministry of Industry's regulations on waste management (2023). Consequently, the legal process involves the Chonburi Provincial Industry Office coordinating with the Rayong Provincial Industry Office to inspect the Midea Intelligent Manufacturing factory and take decisive legal action.
Regarding the situation at Boonraksa Ville 2 village, it has now returned to normal. The Bo Win Subdistrict Administrative Organization, local government organizations, and disaster relief units have jointly conducted a big cleanup, restoring and clearing garbage from the area. The Department of Industrial Works has instructed the Eastern Pollution Warning and Research Center (EEC) in Chonburi Province to inspect the site to assess the potential environmental impact of the waste. Soil and debris samples that flowed into the village have been collected for analysis to test for contaminants, pH levels, and heavy metals, to further assist residents in monitoring the situation.