Violations found at 92% of raided waste plants

Three facilities in Samut Sakhon ordered to suspend operations, prosecutions of 54 others planned

Surprise inspections at waste sorting and recycling plants in Samut Sakhon have found that 92% of them had violated the Factory Act, according to Industry Minister Varawut Silpa-archa.

Officials inspected 146 facilities in the heavily industrialised province adjacent to Bangkok between Thursday and Friday.

The crackdown targeted Type 105 factories, which handle waste sorting or non-hazardous waste landfill operations, and Type 106 factories, which recycle industrial waste.

Of the 146 facilities inspected, 134 were found to have violated the Factory Act 1992, Mr Varawut said on Saturday.

Three were ordered to temporarily suspend operations under Section 39, while authorities were preparing to prosecute 54 others, he said.

One inspection in Muang district found that a factory had violated an order issued under Section 37 of the Factory Act by operating machinery in an expanded section of its premises without permission.

The factory was licensed to dismantle and shred electrical and electronic equipment, shred plastic, and melt and recast metal slag.

However, it had also been operating metal-melting and shredding machinery with a combined capacity of 170 horsepower, which falls under factory category 106, as well as plastic shredding and melting machinery with a capacity of 75 horsepower, which falls under category 53(5), outside its authorised premises.

These activities were not covered by its licence.

In addition, 1,352 tonnes of raw materials and unused materials were found stockpiled outside the factory premises.

Although the factory’s representative claimed that the materials were raw materials awaiting use in the production process, officials invoked Section 37 to order the suspension of the unlawful activities and impounded the stockpiles for sampling and laboratory analysis.

If the materials are found to be hazardous substances, the factory will face additional legal action under the Hazardous Substance Act.

Mr Varawut said the ministry aimed to complete inspections of all 3,049 high-risk factories nationwide by the end of 2026, or no later than early 2027.

Under the law, Section 37 allows authorities to order factories to make improvements to address violations. If they fail to comply, Section 39 can be invoked to order a temporary suspension or closure of operations.