A secret industrial dumping ground packed with over 8,000 tonnes of toxic waste has been uncovered in Prachin Buri, exposing a massive illegal recycling racket run by foreign nationals in defiance of Thai law.
The shocking discovery was made during a joint raid led by the Industry Ministry and its so-called “Sudsoi Team,” a taskforce spearheaded by Industry Minister Akanat Promphan. The site — an unauthorised metal smelting and recycling factory in Sri Maha Phot district — was allegedly operating behind the scenes despite previous suspension orders.
“This setup was operating as an unauthorised private industrial estate,” said Thitipas Chotdechachainun, who headed the raid under Minister Akanat’s orders.
What officials found was a sprawling operation masked as a legitimate facility but illegally split into seven zones. Each section was rented out to mostly Chinese and Taiwanese tenants, operating without licences.
Inside, investigators found banned recycling machinery in full swing, wire scraps, auto parts, e-waste, circuit boards and piles of toxic waste stacked high.
“This wasn’t just a rogue operation — this was a toxic empire,” Thitipas said.
Officials confirmed the site, registered under Chanjira Suksatit and Yu-Li Yang, had ignored prior shutdown orders. It continued to run illegal wire recycling and smelting activities, treating the site as a private industrial hub.
Some buildings were licensed, but most were not, and operations blatantly violated environmental and industrial regulations.
The factory had also subleased the land from a dissolved company, then split it into zones and rented them out — all without legal approval. The Provincial Industry Office has since issued orders to stop all unauthorised activity and has seized machinery, raw materials, waste, and finished products.
“This is a serious offence involving hazardous waste far beyond acceptable levels,” said Minister Akanat. “Legal action is already underway, and this case is being referred to the Department of Special Investigation (DSI) as a special case.”
Due to the volume of hazardous material — more than 50 tonnes between two sites — the DSI has been asked to take over.
Criminal charges include illegal factory operations, unlawful expansion, possession of toxic substances, and defying government orders, reported Bangkok Post.
“This is just the beginning,” Thitipas said. “We’re not stopping until we wipe out every last grey business polluting this country.”
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