Pollution Police Raid 3 Illegal E-Waste Factories in Chonburi
Thailand's Pollution Control Department raided three unlicensed electronic waste factories in Chonburi, seizing machinery and arresting 15 undocumented migrant workers from Myanmar and Laos. The companies were illegally importing and assembling electronic circuit boards without permits. Authorities filed criminal charges under the Public Health Act and Factory Act, while the Environment Minister vowed continued crackdowns on illegal e-waste operations nationwide.
Natural Resources and Environment Minister Suwit Khunkitti ordered the Pollution Control Department's special task force to target the source of electronic waste and hazardous materials, raiding Chonburi and finding three unlicensed companies while seizing machinery and expanding the investigation. Minister Suwit is executing a government directive under Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul to seriously address electronic waste and hazardous waste problems through the Electronic Waste Resolution Committee chaired by Deputy Prime Minister and Commerce Minister Supamas Isarabhakdi, with integrated coordination alongside Industry Minister Warawut Silpa-archa on factory inspections and oversight. Meanwhile, the ministry's Pollution Control Special Task Force is conducting proactive operations to inspect and expand investigations into violations related to electronic and hazardous waste to intercept pollution at its source and prevent impacts on the environment and the public.
On November 4, 2026, the Pollution Control Special Task Force, led by working group chairwoman Ploylaphat Singthotong, task force commander Pol. Lt. Col. Itthipho Phothong, advisor to the minister, and Dr. Chamlong Chuearod, deputy task force commander and ministerial advisor, along with Pollution Control Department officials and combined forces from the 2nd Regional Office of the Internal Security Operations Command, Chonburi Provincial Industry Office, Thathong Subdistrict Municipality, Chonburi Provincial Commerce Office, and Chonburi Provincial Social Development and Human Security Office, inspected facilities in Thathong Subdistrict, Chonburi Province, under search warrants.
The inspection found four companies total in the area. Huan Ya Electronics Co., Ltd. held a valid operating license. The other three — Ruey Fung Co., Ltd., Stone Tech Co., Ltd., and E-Ming Co., Ltd. — were found importing electronic circuit boards for assembly without legal operating licenses. Notably, Ruey Fung Co., Ltd. and Stone Tech Co., Ltd. have 100% foreign shareholders.
For legal action, Thathong Subdistrict Municipality filed charges for violating official orders and operating health-hazardous businesses without notifying local officials under the Public Health Act B.E. 2535. Chonburi Provincial Industry Office filed charges for establishing and operating factories without licenses under Section 12 of the Factory Act B.E. 2535, and seized all machinery as evidence. Additionally, police arrested 15 foreign nationals who violated immigration laws: 8 Myanmar nationals and 7 Lao nationals, residing in worker housing outside the factory premises.
Minister Suwit directed the Pollution Control Special Task Force and relevant agencies to continue inspecting and tracing the root causes of violations continuously, particularly tracking and managing electronic waste and hazardous waste that could cause pollution, while coordinating with authorized agencies to strictly enforce relevant laws. He emphasized that operations must be integrated across all sectors and not allow illegal operations to become pollution sources creating public distress. The Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment stands ready to fully protect the environment and public health.
