Environment Minister Orders Urgent Water Testing in Prachinburi
The article is about Thailand's Environment Minister ordering urgent water testing in Prachinburi province after residents in flood-affected areas near industrial waste ponds showed health issues, particularly skin conditions and elevated h
Natural Resources and Environment Minister Suchat Chomklin voiced concern on October 28 over the health and safety of people in Prachinburi province after reports emerged of residents in risk areas suffering health effects from flooding and seepage from industrial waste disposal ponds. The Disease Control Department reported that most screened villagers exhibited skin conditions, leading the minister to direct the Pollution Control Department (PCD) to rapidly assess environmental quality, particularly water sources used for consumption, and to trace the origin and spread of pollutants potentially linked to local pollution sources.
PCD Director-General Dr. Surint Warakijthamrong disclosed that the Office of Environmental and Pollution Control 7 (Saraburi) was dispatched on October 28 to inspect canals in Kok Pib and Ku Lam Pan subdistricts, Si Maha Phot district, Prachinburi. Teams will survey and collect water samples along canal routes and water flow paths leading to communities, as well as raw water samples used for village water supply systems where residents were found to have elevated heavy metal levels in their blood.
Dr. Surint added that the department will swiftly verify facts using scientific evidence and coordinate with relevant agencies to assess public health impacts. If evidence links contamination to specific pollution sources, legal action will be pursued strictly, in line with the minister's policy of proactive pollution resolution to protect the environment and public health.
