Chonburi: In a significant development, Petty Officer 1st Class Yotsingh Liamlert, Deputy Minister of Industry, spearheaded an inspection at a major pork factory in Bo Thong District, Chonburi Province, following numerous complaints from local residents regarding foul odors and the release of wastewater into the community.
According to Thai News Agency, the investigation was a coordinated effort involving the Department of Special Investigation (DSI), the Department of Livestock Development, the Chonburi Provincial Natural Resources and Environment Office, Bo Thong Police, and local administrative organizations. The primary focus was on the factory's wastewater treatment system, identified as a potential source of the community's concerns.
Initial findings indicated the factory produced approximately 400 cubic meters of wastewater daily, surpassing the permitted 250 cubic meters. Additionally, the absence of a pollution control operator and the lack of a wastewater report in the Department of Industrial Works' system were noted. These issues potentially violate the Factory Act of 1992 and its amendments.
Petty Officer 1st Class Yotsingh emphasized the importance of accountability, stating, "No matter how large a company is, if it discharges wastewater beyond what's permitted by law or causes public distress, it must be investigated and punished equally."
The Deputy Minister also noted that the company had requested an extension for the factory renovation period. However, he instructed officials to monitor the renovation closely to ensure compliance with wastewater treatment standards and to mitigate community impact.
As an immediate response, parts of the factory's operations linked to wastewater discharges have been ordered to shut down, and detailed chemical testing of wastewater is underway. Legal action will proceed if tests reveal pollution levels exceeding standards.
Petty Officer 1st Class Yotsingh reaffirmed the Ministry of Industry's commitment to ensuring factories operate responsibly, stating, "If they're doing something wrong, there are no exceptions, regardless of their size, their ambition, or their valuation in the tens of billions."
This initiative not only aims to address immediate environmental concerns in the Bo Kwang Thong subdistrict but also underscores the Ministry's stance that legal compliance must take precedence over industrial influence.