Minister Orders Probe After Toxic Industrial Waste Found Dumped in Chonburi

Natural Resources and Environment Minister Suthat Chakkin expressed concern over environmental and public health risks after industrial waste was found dumped alongside household garbage in Nong Prue, Bang Lamung district, Chonburi. He instructed the Pollution Control Department (PCD) to investigate immediately, identify the source, and pursue legal action.

PCD Director-General Dr. Surinth Warakijthamrong said a special task force set up by the minister to tackle eastern-region pollution, together with the PCD Regional Office 13 (Chonburi) and other agencies, inspected a ten-rai plot in Soi Nong Mai Kaen 17 on 28 October 2026. They discovered large quantities of community waste and factory debris — including wire sheathing, plastic scraps, bulk bags of industrial residue, and burn marks — covering more than seven rai.

Preliminary X-ray fluorescence analysis at four points revealed antimony up to 720,000 ppm, cadmium up to 190,000 ppm, and lead up to 360 ppm, classifying the material as Category 3 hazardous waste (Chemical Waste, List 5.2) under the Ministry of Industry's 2013 Hazardous Substances List. Air sampling at four locations showed zero volatile organic compounds, though inspectors noted a chemical odor on site.

PCD Regional Office 13 filed a police complaint at Nong Prue Police Station on 28 October for violations of the Factory Act, Hazardous Substances Act, and related laws. Nong Prue Municipality has been directed to enforce public health regulations and prevent any disturbance of the suspect waste. On 29 October, the Chonburi Provincial Industry Office will collect samples for laboratory analysis to support further hazardous-waste prosecutions. The PCD pledged to closely monitor the investigation and legal proceedings to ensure strict enforcement and protect the environment and public health.