Bo thong: "Varawut" is poised to press four charges against a factory in the Bo Thong area for illegally burying 700 tons of waste. If found guilty, the factory will be ordered to cease operations immediately. Mr. Varawut Silpa-archa, Minister of Industry, has ordered the Chonburi Provincial Industry Office to take legal action against Jinjiali (Thailand) Co., Ltd. after discovering that approximately 700 tons of industrial waste had been buried outside the factory premises. The waste has been seized as evidence, and an investigation is underway to determine if it constitutes hazardous waste. If the analysis confirms this, further legal action will be taken, and the factory will be immediately ordered to cease all operations.
According to Thai News Agency, following complaints from local residents about the illegal dumping of industrial waste in Bo Thong District, Chonburi Province, the Chonburi Provincial Industrial Office, in collaboration with the Internal Security Operations Command (ISOC) of Chonburi Province, That Thong Subdistrict Municipality, and the Eastern Region Factory Pollution Research and Warning Center, inspected the factory on August 24th. They found that the factory, which manufactures steel gratings for barbecue grills, had not yet notified the authorities of its commencement of operations as required by law. Furthermore, they discovered approximately 700 tons of used casting sand that had been dumped outside the factory premises, packed in big bags and buried whole.
"Initial X-ray examination revealed lead components, which may classify it as a Class 3 hazardous substance according to the Ministry of Industry's list of hazardous materials. The Chonburi Provincial Industrial Office therefore seized the waste and related materials to prevent their movement, destruction, or loss. Six samples of the buried waste and raw materials were collected and sent for official analysis to confirm whether they are hazardous waste."
Initially, the Chonburi Provincial Industrial Office is preparing to prosecute on four charges: operating a factory without notifying authorities, burying waste or unused materials without permission, transporting industrial waste out of the factory without permission, and possessing hazardous materials without permission. The penalties range from a fine of up to 20,000 baht to imprisonment of up to 2 years, or a fine of up to 200,000 baht, or both, depending on the offense discovered and the outcome of the prosecution.
Furthermore, Mr. Varawut stated that once the official analysis is complete, the Chonburi Provincial Industrial Office will file additional complaints and proceed according to the Factory Act B.E. 2535 and the Hazardous Substances Act B.E. 2535, using the authority of the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Industry or his/her designated representative. They will prepare an order to immediately cease all factory operations, requiring the operators to clarify the facts and make necessary corrections to comply with the law.
Members of the public who witness or suspect the illegal dumping of industrial waste or unusual materials in the area can report it to the Chonburi Provincial Industry Office or the Ministry of Industry hotline at 1564, available 24 hours a day.