Industrial and Hazardous Waste Bureau raids illegal factory storing hazardous waste and e-waste, investigates connection to lithium battery truck fire
Authorities raided an illegal hazardous waste facility in Samut Sakhon, arresting a factory director and seizing nearly 100 cubic meters of e-waste and other hazardous materials in an investigation connected to a lithium battery truck fire
On May 29, Pol. Lt. Gen. Anuek Tausupap, director of the Industrial and Hazardous Waste Bureau (IHWB), ordered a team of officers including Pol. Col. Nathapol Akareuan, Pol. Maj. Nattawat Sunarot, and Pol. Lt. Col. Bancha Sritanyu to raid an unauthorized factory in Moo 6, Tha Trai subdistrict, Muang district, Samut Sakhon. Officers arrested Ms. Chayaphak (surname withheld), 42, a company director, and seized approximately 9.8 cubic meters of electronic waste, 60 cubic meters of sludge, 21 cubic meters of e-waste in bulk bags, and 9.68 cubic meters of solar panels.
The operation followed a May 3 lithium battery truck fire on Tepharat Road (Bangkok-Trat Highway) at kilometer 40 in Bang Pakong district, Chachoengsao province, which raised concerns about illegal hazardous waste management. Authorities expanded their investigation and identified this factory as a facility sorting, collecting, and storing hazardous waste commercially without authorization.
Officers obtained a search warrant from Samut Sakhon Provincial Court and coordinated with the Department of Industrial Works, Samut Sakhon Provincial Industry Office, and related agencies. The inspection found the factory was operating as a Category 3 industrial facility without proper authorization from the Department of Industrial Works. The seized materials are classified as Category 3 hazardous substances held without legal permission.
While no direct evidence linking the factory to the lithium battery truck fire was discovered, authorities will continue expanding their investigation into related networks. Ms. Chayaphak confessed to operating the illegal facility but denied any knowledge of the lithium battery fire. She faces charges for operating an industrial factory without authorization and unlawfully possessing Category 3 hazardous materials. She was handed over to Muang Samut Sakhon Police Station for further legal proceedings.
