Rock-Blasting Investigation Halts Work at WHA Eastern Seaboard Industrial Estate

Industry Minister Weerawuth Silphacha announced the latest developments in an investigation into loud explosions and tremors detected across four districts of Rayong province on August 13. On August 17, the Industrial Estate Authority of Thailand, in coordination with Rayong's provincial industrial office, the Department of Basic Industries and Mines, local police, and district administrators, inspected the site at the WHA Eastern Seaboard 5 project in Ban Khai district. The inspection team, which included local representatives and the contractor Baan Khai Concrete Products, found evidence and traces indicating rock destruction using blasting methods while the site was undergoing land preparation. The authority has instructed all evidence be sent for expert verification to determine what occurred and whether operations complied with law. "I have immediately ordered the industrial estate to halt all land-preparation work in areas containing rock, and barred outsiders from the site to preserve evidence," Weerawuth stated. "We will fast-track verification and take decisive legal action if violations are found, while rapidly assessing damage to compensate affected residents." The estate has also ordered the project developer to explain within three business days, covering work procedures, environmental safeguards under the environmental impact assessment, permits, and legal compliance. The investigation will examine daily reports, coordinate site photographs with work sequences, and involve expert analysis to reach firm conclusions. The estate and contractor had previously maintained that excavation and rock extraction followed EIA guidelines using only hydraulic breakers, with no explosives involved, making the newly discovered traces a key point requiring clarification. Citizens experiencing problems can call the 24-hour hotline 1564.