Warawut ordered the temporary closure of the ice factory due to an ammonia leak until repairs are completed, assuring that no students were seriously injured. He also instructed an inspection of risk points to prepare for the hot weather.
On 9 July 2026, Warawut Silpa-archa, Minister of Industry, accompanied by Wichayaphan Ploytubtim, Suphanburi's provincial industry officer, visited the Boonwan 2019 Ice Factory located in Khao Phra subdistrict, Doem Bang Nang Buat district, Suphanburi Province. This followed an ammonia leak incident from the ice production equipment on 8 July 2026.
Warawut reported on the impact to the public, noting that within a radius from 200 meters up to 1 kilometer around the factory, some educational institutions were affected by the chemical fumes. However, recent reports from the provincial public health office and local hospital directors confirmed that no students suffered serious injuries. Most had only respiratory irritation and nasal discomfort, which doctors treated accordingly. Fortunately, there were no severe casualties. The factory has cooperated fully in addressing and fixing the issues.
Regarding legal measures, the Minister of Industry stated that under the Factory Act B.E. 2535, the factory's operations have been temporarily suspended. Authorities have ordered a complete shutdown until the factory finishes repairs and the Industrial Works Department thoroughly inspects and certifies safety standards. Only then will permission be granted to resume normal operations.
"As temperatures are rising steadily, I urge all factory operators across the country to carefully inspect joints, production lines, electrical points, and transformers. The heat can trigger accidents. Although no one wants incidents to occur, once they do, we must work together to fix and prevent them," Warawut said.
Additionally, the Minister of Industry sent a clear message to local administrative officials—including district chiefs, mayors, and subdistrict administrative organization leaders—who are closest to their communities and best informed about local matters. If they observe suspicious factory behavior or illegal activities, they can report tips to the Ministry’s 24-hour hotline at 1564 or directly to the provincial industry office. He emphasized that if investigations find unlicensed or illegal factories, the Ministry will prosecute decisively without exceptions to ensure the industrial sector grows alongside public safety and welfare.