Officials Plan to Shut Chinese Factories Prachinburi River Fish Kill
Authorities in Prachinburi Province are preparing to shut down two Chinese-funded factories blamed for discharging toxic waste into the Prachinburi River, which has caused mass fish deaths and devastated local tilapia farms. Officials say oil slicks and the behavior of deep-water species indicate poisoning, not just low oxygen, and they will test fish carcasses for contaminants while arranging emergency compensation for affected villagers.
Prachinburi Deputy Governor Chanathip Khokmane, acting as governor, convened an urgent meeting with relevant agencies to address the pollution from local industries. The meeting concluded that two factories—a Chinese‑funded plant and the W2 factory—have repeatedly violated wastewater discharge rules and refused to cooperate with authorities, prompting the province to propose their closure to the Department of Industrial Works. Officials ordered the Fisheries Department to collect dead fish for laboratory testing to identify contaminants and announced immediate relief measures for affected residents. Community leaders from the Prachinburi Strong group praised the deputy governor’s decisive action and pledged to cooperate in cracking down on illegal discharges to restore the river’s ecosystem.
