Prachinburi:The People's Party has urged the government to quickly address the pollution crisis caused by the Prachinburi landfill. This call follows an incident where flooding resulted in toxic substances spreading over a kilometer, raising concerns among local residents and officials.
According to Thai News Agency, Veerayuth Kanchuchat, a Member of Parliament and Deputy Leader of the People's Party, has called for an investigation into the spread of an oil-like substance from a waste pile in Prachinburi Province. Alongside other party members, he highlighted the long-standing pollution issues exacerbated by recent flooding, which government agencies have not adequately investigated.
Drone footage has revealed that polluted water, originating from industrial waste in Si Maha Pho district, risks spreading beyond the initial affected area. Residents outside the initial contamination zone have already reported water pollution. Veerayuth emphasized the potential harm to farmlands and aquatic life, criticizing the slow response from government agencies, which delayed testing until October 2nd, a week after the flooding.
Poonsak Chanjamphee, a Vice Chairman of the Committee on Land, Natural Resources, and Environment, raised concerns regarding the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) requirements for factories expanding their production capacity. He pointed out discrepancies between environmental laws and the conditions for factory expansion under the Factory Act.
The Office of National Economic and Social Development Council (NESDC) has been urged to clarify the EIA requirements, especially since the flood-prone project site poses risks to agricultural land and the food chain.
Veerayuth noted that the Pollution Control Department is investigating the contamination, with results expected next week. He also mentioned the possibility of involving the Department of Industrial Works, which has experience in handling such crises, although budget constraints remain a challenge. He stressed the urgency of government intervention and the need for central funding, estimating that approximately 400 million baht might be required based on past experiences.
Industry Minister Varawut Silpa-archa has observed only oil stains, but Veerayuth insists that a scientific investigation is necessary. Complaints from local farmers about crop damage have also been reported, prompting calls for compensation and ongoing monitoring of the situation by the People's Party.