Laem chabang: In a significant operation aimed at dismantling a transnational waste smuggling ring, Mr. Suchart Chomklin, Minister of Natural Resources and Environment, has joined forces with the Department of Special Investigation (DSI), the Customs Department, and the Department of Industrial Works. The team conducted a raid at Laem Chabang Port, intercepting hazardous waste, with Mr. Suchart emphasizing, "Thailand is not the world's dumping ground."
According to Thai News Agency, Mr. Suchart revealed that the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment (MNRE) is intensifying efforts to crack down on the illegal import and dumping of waste from foreign countries. Collaborating with the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), the Ecological Restoration Foundation, and Mr. Achariya Ruangratanapong, President of the Association for Assisting Victims of Crime, among other agencies, the operation involved inspecting suspicious containers at the port that might contain illegally imported hazardous waste. Mr. Naris Niramaiwong, Governor of Chonburi Province, also supported the initiative.
Mr. Suchart explained that the operation aims not only to seize goods at the destination but to prosecute all involved parties. Initial findings pointed to seven exporting companies from the United States and sixteen importing companies in Thailand. The authorities plan to review data from the past two years to gather evidence and expand the investigation. Any discovered wrongdoing will result in rigorous legal action.
The government has a clear policy against Thailand being used as a dumping ground for hazardous waste. Mr. Suchart reiterated that waste smuggling operations would not be tolerated, as the burden ultimately falls on the people and the environment. The MNRE has implemented preventive measures, such as prohibiting the import of electronic, plastic, and municipal waste, and has upgraded inspection and law enforcement to prevent illegal waste imports.
On September 7, 2026, Mr. Suchart signed an order to appoint a working group and special task force to monitor, inspect, prevent, and suppress illegal waste dumping and pollution problems in the eastern provinces, aiming for swift law enforcement. He emphasized the importance of inspecting the port to address the problem at its source, covering all aspects from exporters to final handling. Any discovered smuggling will lead to further investigation and decisive legal action.
During the inspection, the Pollution Control Department, as the lead technical agency of the MNRE and the coordinating center under the Basel Convention, participated in 'Operation Can Opener' with the Basel Action Network (BAN) to assess transboundary waste movements. They examined the technical composition of the goods to determine if they were hazardous waste or prohibited items.
The inspection revealed that out of nine shipping containers, three from Poland, the United Kingdom, and New Zealand were correctly declared with no contamination. However, six containers from the United States, declared as aluminum scrap, were found to be contaminated with e-waste. The investigation results and technical data will be compiled and submitted to the DSI, the Customs Department, and the Department of Industrial Works for legal proceedings if illegal transboundary smuggling under the Basel Convention is confirmed.
Mr. Suchart emphasized that the MNRE will continue to work closely with law enforcement agencies to prevent and investigate waste smuggling, expanding investigations to the entire network and prosecuting those responsible. He reaffirmed the government's stance that Thailand must not be the world's dumping ground and that public and environmental safety will not be compromised for the interests of capital groups or offenders.