Region 2 Police Seize 5 Containers of Illegal US E-Waste

Region 2 Police tracked and seized container trucks in Prachinburi and Chonburi carrying electronic waste imported into Thailand through Laem Chabang Port. Authorities are expanding the seizure to three more containers and rushing to build a case against the importing company.

November 10, 2026 — Following an order from Industry Minister Warawut Silpa-archa to inspect 3,049 industrial and e-waste facilities nationwide, intensive checks from November 2–9 across five provinces — Prachinburi, Chonburi, Chachoengsao, Rayong, and Samut Prakan — found 375 factories violating the Factory Act and issued 470 administrative orders. The crackdown emphasizes strict law enforcement.

Pol. Maj. Gen. Wasan Techa-akkasem, Commander of Region 2 Provincial Police, disclosed that he ordered Region 2 police to accelerate investigations into e-waste cases. From operations by Wang Takhian Police Station in Prachinburi, officers seized two tractor-trailers with two containers containing electronic circuit board components and scrap copper wire fragments. The investigation expanded to a transport company acting on orders from a firm located in Moo 3, Bo Thong Subdistrict, Kabin Buri District, Prachinburi Province.

Further investigation revealed the transport company used three trucks to move goods; two were seized, while container JXLU6237052 evaded seizure and was later found stored at TKS Depot in Nong Kham Subdistrict, Si Racha District, Chonburi Province.

Additionally, Region 2 Highway Police, Chonburi Provincial Police, Prachinburi Industrial Office, Chonburi Industrial Office, and the Pollution Control Department executed a Chonburi Provincial Court search warrant (No. 240/2026 dated November 9, 2026) at a company in Nong Kham, Si Racha, Chonburi. They found container JXLU6237052 loaded with mixed metal scrap and electronic equipment parts, which was seized.

Officers then searched another company in Moo 3, Thung Sukhla Subdistrict, Si Racha, Chonburi, discovering two containers — ZCSU7655247 and ZCSU6946422 — containing mixed metal scrap contaminated with electronic equipment parts. These were seized and handed to Industrial Department officials for sampling and further legal action.

The investigation revealed eight containers were imported by a private company via the vessel Santa Loretta, originating from the United States, arriving at Laem Chabang Port, Chonburi, for onward delivery to clients. Region 2 Police have coordinated with the Industrial Department, the Department of Primary Industries and Mines, and Customs to seize electronic waste components from five containers so far, with three containers remaining under investigation for further legal proceedings.