Industry Ministry Shuts Prachinburi Plastic Factory Over Hazardous Waste
Thailand's Industry Ministry ordered the temporary closure of a plastic recycling factory in Prachinburi after a task force raid uncovered hazardous waste stockpiling, untreated wastewater discharge, and unauthorized machinery. Sunyoi Industrial Co. in Kabin Buri district was found violating multiple environmental and factory regulations across two operating licenses. The provincial industry office has filed criminal charges and seized materials, while the Department of Industrial Works prepares additional shutdown orders for related facilities.
Industry Minister Varavuth Silpa-archa ordered the "Top Gun" special task force to raid factories 105 and 106 in Prachinburi after discovering hazardous material stockpiling and untreated wastewater discharge. The task force, led by Police General Nakrob Bunnabut, inspected Sunyoi Industrial Co. in Moo 5, Nong Ki subdistrict, Kabin Buri district, Prachinburi province on November 4, 2024.
Intensive inspection revealed violations at both factory licenses. For the plastic melting and pellet factory (Category 53(1)), officials found unauthorized machinery for washing and sorting contaminated plastic scraps, wastewater from the washing process discharged without treatment, and raw materials inconsistent with licensed materials that the company could not explain the origin of. Laboratory analysis of samples collected on October 16, 2024 confirmed the materials were hazardous substances under the Ministry of Industry's 2023 notification and the Hazardous Substance Act of 1992.
The Prachinburi Provincial Industry Office ordered a temporary shutdown of all operations under Section 39(1) of the Factory Act of 1992 for improvements, and seized materials to prevent further use. For the waste sorting and plastic pellet factories (Categories 105 and 106), violations included operating without prior notification, storing raw materials outdoors without roofing causing contaminated runoff into an unlined pond, and lacking wastewater treatment. The Department of Industrial Works is preparing a similar shutdown order, and the provincial industry office has filed a police complaint at Kabin Buri Police Station.
