Thailand Industry Minister orders nationwide factory inspections after illegal e-waste discovery

Thailand's Minister of Industry, Varawut Silpa-archa, has ordered nationwide inspections of factories following the discovery of illegal e-waste recycling operations in Prachin Buri. During a site visit to address oil leaks and environmental damage, the Minister expressed dismay at the scale of illegal activities, noting that the facilities lacked proper legal standing.

The government is coordinating a multi-agency response involving the Ministry of Finance, the Department of Special Investigation (DSI), and the Anti-Money Laundering Office (AMLO) to trace the financial trails of shareholders involved in these illegal operations. Authorities aim to seize assets from offenders and investigate the potential use of nominees and fraudulent identification by foreign nationals.

In addition to law enforcement actions, the Ministry is considering stricter import controls on scrap plastic to prevent further environmental degradation. The Minister also emphasized the need for compensation for local residents and farmers affected by industrial leaks and urged public cooperation to identify illegal factories.