Environment Ministry Orders Urgent Investigation Into Ban Po Factory Fire
A motorcycle parts factory fire in Ratchaburi's Ban Po district on August 10 triggered an urgent environmental investigation after contaminated water flowed into a public canal. The Environment Ministry is monitoring air quality and water c
Natural Resources and Environment Minister Suchat Chomklin revealed on August 11 that he received a report of a fire at P.S.P.N. Manufacturing Co., Ltd., a motorcycle parts factory in Ban Po, Ratchaburi Province, which broke out around 5:30 a.m. on August 10. The fire consumed production materials, mostly paper and plastic. Suchat ordered the Pollution Control Department's Region 8 office to urgently inspect the site and monitor air quality downwind of the facility to assess environmental impacts and reassure residents. If contamination or pollution levels exceed standards, immediate corrective action will be required.
Air quality measurements taken 100 meters downwind to the northeast detected ammonia at 1 ppm and chlorine at 0.2 ppm, both within standards, while inside the factory volatile organic compounds measured 10 ppm and ammonia at 2 ppm, also within occupational standards. However, firefighting water flowed into a public canal behind the factory with a brown, foamy appearance and oily residue, with a pH of 8. Authorities blocked the water outlet and coordinated with the municipality, while the factory agreed to have GENCO treat the water properly. Water samples were collected from the canal for analysis and environmental impact assessment.