Environment Minister Declares War on Prachinburi Toxic Waste Plants
Thailand's Natural Resources and Environment Minister Suchart Chomklin declared a crackdown on illegal toxic waste factories in Prachinburi, warning he will use strong measures including asset seizures by the DSI and anti‑money laundering office. He said if the problem cannot be solved, there is no point in being a minister, and he is not afraid of losing friends. The minister urged integrated action among multiple ministries and warned that those responsible will face prosecution and asset forfeiture.
He said that although the law allows factories to be ordered to close for improvement, public concern remains, and yesterday the Prime Minister stated that if such incidents recur, licenses must be revoked just as venues that overstay their hours or admit minors with firearms are shut permanently. Suchart added that he had the ministry’s permanent secretary meet with the secretary‑general of the Anti‑Money Laundering Office because encroachment on forest parks is a predicate offence enabling asset seizure, to check how to target operators smuggling electronic waste from transport, import through to clear evidence, so they can be prosecuted and have their assets seized by the Department of Special Investigation (DSI) as a special case. He described this as the ‘strong medicine’ needed, noting that laws are being amended to allow such action.
