Rayong:Bangkok 'Watcharapong', a Pheu Thai Party MP, has called on the government to intensify its efforts against toxic waste smuggling, emphasizing that Thailand should not be used as a dumping ground for the world's waste. He advocated for stricter regulations on high-risk cargo and urged for immediate remediation of contaminated sites without waiting for legal proceedings to conclude. His statements came amidst admissions of past lax oversight by 'Varawut', who announced plans to deploy 50 teams to inspect over 1,500 factories across five provinces.
According to Thai News Agency, during a House of Representatives meeting, Mr. Watcharapong Sirirak raised concerns about illegal electronic waste imports and mismanagement of industrial waste. The Prime Minister delegated the response to Mr. Varawut Silpa-archa, Minister of Industry. Watcharapong described the situation in Rayong Province and surrounding areas as an environmental crime, involving international smuggling, document falsification, and improper waste disposal practices.
Watcharapong revealed that a local investigation led to the discovery of a factory in Rayong with tens of thousands of tons of electronic waste, lacking necessary permits and treatment systems. He highlighted the public's role in uncovering these issues, often at personal risk, and criticized the insufficient enforcement by government agencies.
Varawut acknowledged that despite a 2020 ban on electronic waste imports, illegal activities persist due to inadequate inspections. He noted the concentration of waste-related factories in five provinces, prompting the Ministry of Industry to initiate extensive inspections. Results from these efforts are expected within the next two months.
Watcharapong suggested strengthening the Customs Department's import inspections to prevent waste smuggling. He pointed out current loopholes, such as misuse of free trade zones and inadequate differentiation between electronic waste and necessary raw materials. Varawut agreed on the need for more stringent inspections and urged collaboration to identify and investigate suspicious imports.
The discussion also addressed the inadequacy of current penalties for illegal waste dumping, which are significantly lower than the costs of lawful disposal. Watcharapong argued for more robust law enforcement and immediate environmental restoration efforts, emphasizing that delays in justice and remediation are unacceptable.
Varawut explained that while seized waste is typically retained as evidence, immediate action could be taken if public safety is at risk. He outlined a potential collaboration with police and industrial authorities to manage hazardous waste proactively, with costs recovered from offenders post-litigation.
In closing, Watcharapong urged the government to amend the Factory Act and enhance enforcement mechanisms, stressing the long-standing nature of the waste issue involving both domestic and international parties. He called for prioritizing public safety and environmental integrity over reactive measures.
Source Thai News Agency