National Environmental Committee Enforces Strict Controls on Used EV Battery Imports

Bangkok: The Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment chaired a pivotal meeting of the National Environmental Committee, focusing on enforcing stricter controls on the importation of used electric vehicle (EV) batteries. The committee also granted approval for the Environmental Impact Assessments (EIAs) of six significant government infrastructure projects. According to Thai News Agency, Dr. Raveewan Phuridej, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment, led the 1st meeting of the National Environmental Committee in 2026. The session was attended by Mr. Bannarak Sermthong, Secretary-General of the Office of Natural Resources and Environmental Policy and Planning, along with representatives from relevant agencies and experts. Dr. Phuridej highlighted that the meeting focused on implementing guidelines to manage the import of used EV batteries into the Kingdom. These measures aim to ensure proper management, mitigate pollution risk, and minimize future environmental impacts. Additionally, a grant agreement between the Office of Natural Resources and Environmental Policy and Planning (ONREP) and the German International Cooperation Agency (GIZ) was approved to support the Thai Rice: Strengthening Climate-Smart Rice Farming Project. Supported by the Green Climate Fund (GCF), ONREP received a budget of £2 million to promote low-greenhouse gas emission rice farming across 21 target provinces in the northern, northeastern, and central regions of Thailand. The committee also approved the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) reports for six major government infrastructure projects. These include the Road Project No. SC.2055, a four-lane highway project on Highway No. 201, the third expansion of the Suvarnabhumi Airport electricity and chilled water production project, the Nakhon Si Thammarat Airport improvement project, the Bueng Kan Airport construction project, and the Den Chai - Chiang Mai double-track railway project. These projects are designed to e nhance the nation's transportation and logistics infrastructure, support economic growth, travel, and tourism, and bolster Thailand's long-term competitiveness while adhering to a sustainable development framework. The meeting's initiatives aim to advance national development alongside environmental protection by setting guidelines for controlling used EV battery imports to prevent pollution risks. It also ensures that key government infrastructure projects proceed sustainably, maintaining a balance between economic progress and environmental preservation.