Rayong Governor Orders Crackdown After Mass Fish Kill in Canal

Governor Traiphop Wongtraratana has ordered a strict environmental crackdown following reports of massive fish kills in Khlong Nong Nam Khao, near Nong Lalok Market in Ban Khao District, after discovering a private wood-processing factory secretly dumping wastewater into the canal. The governor directed the Rayong Center of Good Governance, Ban Khao District Office, the Department of Natural Resources and Environment, and local volunteers to investigate and trace the source of the contamination urgently.

During the field inspection, officials found dead fish and collected water quality samples from four locations. While the initial readings from the canal itself met standard criteria for aquatic life, testing of wastewater directly from WUTCorporation Limited—a wooden pallet manufacturer—revealed severely contaminated black water. The factory's discharge had a dangerously low dissolved oxygen level of 0.76 mg/l, an abnormally high pH of 8.75, a TDS of 1,943 mg/l, and conductivity of 2,970 us/cm, all of which likely caused the fish deaths and water degradation in the canal.

The governor implemented four corrective measures: the factory must immediately close all wastewater discharge pipes and pump out accumulated black water for treatment within three days; local authorities will issue a compliance notice and order; the Rayong Industrial Office will inspect the facility's drainage systems and operations for legal compliance on July 31; and local officials will warn residents not to consume or sell the dead fish.