Ayutthaya: “Yotsingh” joined forces with the Department of Special Investigation (DSI) to raid a concrete factory in Ayutthaya, ordering prosecution for ignoring the law and releasing toxic dust. Petty Officer 1st Class Yotsingh Liamlert, Deputy Minister of Industry, assumed the role of a “hardline enforcer,” leading a combined force, along with the DSI and Standards Protection Units, to raid a concrete factory in Uthai District, Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya Province, following intelligence reports of illegal activity. He ordered immediate and unrelenting action, emphasizing the sanctity of the law to restore public confidence.
According to Thai News Agency, Petty Officer 1st Class Yotsingh personally commanded the scene along with his team, including Mr. Peerawat Somwong, Secretary to the Deputy Minister of Industry; Mr. Ekniti Romyanon, Secretary-General of the TISI; Mr. Panatson Suchayanon, Deputy Director-General of the Department of Special Investigation; and Mr. Chaiyaphon Saithawee, Director of the Special Case Operations Center, Area 1 (DSI). The raid followed intelligence reports of illegal activities under the Factory Act and the Industrial Product Standards Act.
Intensive inspections revealed hidden irregularities. Despite the factory’s partial TIS license, the company’s behavior was questionable: expanding its operations illegally, installing machinery and expanding the factory without permits, aiming to profit without regard to regulations. This included reckless waste disposal and smuggling of used materials (broken bricks) outside the factory without proper legal procedures. Furthermore, the company disregarded the residents’ well-being, lacking a dust removal system, and allowing airborne pollution to spread, exacerbating the PM 2.5 dust problem and causing distress to surrounding communities.
Petty Officer 1st Class Yotsingh immediately ordered, through the Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya Provincial Industrial Office, to invoke Section 37, paragraph one, of the Factory Act of 1992, to suspend all violating acts and proceed with criminal prosecution on all charges, including the expansion of illegal factories and the dumping of industrial waste, to serve as an example and prevent others from repeating the same offense.
Petty Officer 1st Class Yotsingh added that today’s visit is a declaration of war against irresponsible operators. He and all officials will not tolerate anyone profiting from the suffering of the people. He emphasized that law enforcement must be rigorous, without frivolous conduct, to raise Thai industrial standards and build public confidence that the industry is truly reliable. He emphasized the need to closely monitor the progress of improvements. If factories persist in failing to make corrections as scheduled, they will face the highest level of disciplinary action.