Worawut ordered the IEAT to suspend land adjustment at WHA ESIE 5 after evidence indicated rock blasting. He demanded a fact-finding report within three days and emphasized that if any laws were broken, strict prosecution must follow immediately to the fullest extent.
On 18 August 2026, Worawut Silpa-archa, Minister of Industry, provided an update on the investigation of explosion-like noises and vibrations across four districts in Rayong Province on 13 August, which caused significant public alarm. He said that on 17 August 2026, a working team from the Industrial Estate Authority of Thailand (IEAT), together with the Rayong Provincial Industry Office, the Department of Primary Industries and Mines (Chonburi branch), local MPs, and representatives from local government authorities, inspected the incident site within the WHA Eastern Seaboard Industrial Estate 5 (WHA ESIE 5) project in Ban Khai District, Rayong Province.
The inspection included Ban Khai district officials, local MPs, representatives from WHA Industrial Estate, and Ban Khai Concrete Products Co., Ltd., the contractor. Initially, the area was undergoing land adjustment, and signs and evidence indicated rock destruction by blasting. This prompted the IEAT to urgently submit all evidence for verification by experts to confirm what happened and whether the actions complied with the law.
"I have instructed the IEAT to immediately suspend all land adjustment activities involving rock in the project area, and to prohibit outsiders from entering the site to preserve the condition of the incident location and prevent evidence tampering or removal. I have also ordered a swift investigation to establish the facts. If violations are confirmed, strict legal action will be taken without exception. Additionally, an assessment of the area and any damages will be expedited to develop compensation measures for affected citizens as soon as possible," he said.
Furthermore, the IEAT issued a letter to the industrial estate developer requiring factual clarification within three working days, covering all aspects of on-site operations, environmental impact prevention and mitigation measures according to the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) report, as well as all relevant permits and legal compliance.
Worawut added that next steps include a detailed examination of the evidence by the IEAT, including reviewing daily work reports to match coordinates and work sequences against actual site conditions. They will also coordinate with expert agencies to conduct forensic inspections to reach a clear conclusion.
Previously, representatives from the industrial estate and the contractor asserted that soil excavation and rock removal were conducted strictly under the EIA framework using only hydraulic breakers, with no explosives involved. Therefore, the recent discovery of blasting traces is a critical issue that the IEAT must clarify—determining the cause, responsible parties, and whether the necessary legal permits were properly obtained.
Local MPs who joined the inspection will continue coordinating with the industrial estate authorities, and if residents face any issues related to the Ministry of Industry, they can report them immediately 24 hours a day via the hotline 1564.
