A People's Party MP has called for an urgent investigation into pollution after discovering nine industrial factories in Chonburi Province discharging wastewater and acidic water, expressing concern over impacts on water sources, air quality, and residents' quality of life.
At 11:00 a.m. on 31 Jul 2026 GMT+7, Mr. Poonsak Janjamphai, a People's Party MP, and the party's Environmental Issues Committee held a press conference after inspecting complaints from residents about illegal chemical dumping and wastewater discharge in Na Wang Hin Subdistrict, Phanat Nikhom District, Chonburi Province, affecting water, air, and community well-being.
Mr. Poonsak Janjamphai stated that the People's Party environmental task force conducted site visits and meetings with relevant Chonburi agencies, including the Provincial Industry Office, the Provincial Natural Resources and Environment Office, Pollution Control Department Region 13, and representatives from Na Wang Hin Subdistrict Administrative Organization, focusing on several issues.
The first issue concerns an industrial park with nine factories causing problems for residents such as dust, noise, and odors from volatile organic compounds (VOCs), which can be carcinogenic. The task force coordinated with the Chonburi Provincial Industry Office to inspect the impacts and with the Pollution Control Department to measure VOC levels in the area.
Regarding wastewater from worker accommodations exceeding 200 rooms, the number of rooms in the industrial area was found to surpass the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) report's limit of 80 rooms. The task force sent a letter to the Office of Natural Resources and Environmental Policy and Planning requesting a fact-finding investigation into this matter.
Concerning a severely acidic water pond beside an industrial company, the pond's water was found to be highly acidic with potential risk of environmental leakage. The task force coordinated with the Department of Industrial Works to examine the factory's hazardous waste management, particularly chemical acid treatment. They requested the department verify whether waste was actually removed, where it was disposed of, and if not, how it was handled.
The issue of illegal clay pits without buffer zones potentially encroaching on public land was noted, a problem seen in multiple areas nationwide. Phanat Nikhom District has several such pits operating without proper permits or compliance. The task force urged local authorities and relevant agencies to review permits and operations of all clay pits in the province and to investigate the use of public land for private purposes, emphasizing the need for prompt fact-checking.
Moving forward, official letters have been sent to relevant agencies requesting data and formal investigations covering wastewater treatment, chemical mass balance, hazardous waste transfers over the past three years, progress on water quality restoration orders, and whether worker accommodations require an EIA. The task force calls on all involved agencies to promptly enforce laws against polluters within set deadlines, avoiding delays that could worsen problems beyond repair. They will continue to monitor progress and collaborate on-site with relevant units.