Rayong — The Department of Industrial Works conducted an inspection at Sin Ke Yuan Steel Co., Ltd. after the company spent over one year improving the quality of its steel and air emissions to meet standards. If the inspection is passed, results are expected in about two weeks, allowing steel production to proceed. The factory revealed it had stopped production for one year, incurring losses exceeding 4 billion baht.
At 10:00 a.m. on 17 Dec 2025 GMT+7, Mr. Manit Nopamornbodi, Advisor to the Minister of Industry, along with Mr. Jamlong Chuayrod from the Prime Minister's Secretariat, Mr. Ajariya Ruangrattanapong, Advisor to the Minister of Natural Resources and Environment, and representatives from the Department of Industrial Works and the Thai Industrial Standards Institute (TISI) inspected Sin Ke Yuan Steel Co., Ltd. in Ban Khai District, Rayong Province. The company had been temporarily ordered to halt operations due to environmental issues and steel quality failing TISI standards. Over the past year, the company has improved its production quality and environmental conditions to meet standards. Today, representatives inspected whether the steel quality has been sufficiently improved.
Mr. Manit Nopamornbodi, Advisor to the Minister of Industry, said that today key agencies including the Department of Industrial Works and the Pollution Control Department inspected Sin Ke Yuan Steel on two issues: air quality, by collecting chimney emission samples with results expected within 7–10 days, and steel samples, which TISI sent to the Automotive Institute and Thai-German Institute’s internationally accredited labs. The steel testing will take about two weeks to complete. If standards are met, the company can proceed to the next steps.
Mr. Sunthorn Kaewsawang, Deputy Director-General of the Department of Industrial Works, stated that after today’s inspection and steel sample collection, if results comply with standards and legal requirements, Sin Ke Yuan has the opportunity to resume normal operations.
Mr. Khemphat Kittipakdikul, Manager of Sin Ke Yuan Steel Co., Ltd., expressed gratitude to the officials involved in the inspection. He affirmed that the company can produce quality steel within an environmentally sound operation, with production samples collected each cycle. He is confident the company will pass and resume production as before. Over the one-year production halt, expenses did not cease; monthly costs remain significant, such as wages for 533 employees at about 10 million baht per month, plus utilities and lost export opportunities. Total damages exceed 4 billion baht.
Meanwhile, Ms. Ramida Chaimongkol, a weighing station officer and factory employee representative, tearfully shared that although they still have jobs and salaries, their income is less than before, while expenses like credit card bills and car payments continue monthly. She has young children and hopes the factory reopens soon to restore her income to previous levels.
Additional reports note that regarding red dust, the Department of Special Investigation (DSI) concluded that the company’s possession of red dust does not exceed production capacity. Customs inspections found no imports or exports of red dust, indicating no contamination from foreign sources. The investigation found no wrongdoing and has informed the Department of Industrial Works accordingly.