Warawut visited Prachinburi to tackle the oil spill issue, urging the factory to find solutions for the future. He stressed the need for damage compensation, recommended CSR activities to address community sentiments, and ordered the Ministry of Industry to collaborate with all parties involved.
On 19 Oct 2026 GMT+7, Warawut Silpa-archa, Minister of Industry, along with Thanesphon Thanabunyawat, Secretary to the Minister of Industry; Phasakorn Chairat and Wirut Wisetsin, Deputy Permanent Secretaries of the Ministry; Watcharun Juijamlong, Inspector General of the Ministry; and Pornyos Klankrong, Director-General of the Department of Industrial Works, visited Prachinburi Province to follow up on the oil spill issue at the factory. They were welcomed by Amnat Wilawan, Prachinburi MP for Constituency 1 from the Bhumjaithai Party; Chayut Phummakanjana, MP for Constituency 2; Sarit Butnian, MP for Constituency 3; and Krit Kasamphan, Prachinburi Provincial Administrative Organization Chief Executive.
The first stop was Green Environment Technology Co., Ltd., located in Hua Wa Subdistrict, Sri Maha Phot District, Prachinburi, where Warawut and his team received a briefing from the factory and the Department of Industrial Works.
Warawut said that regarding the oil stains, careful thought is needed on how to resolve and remedy the situation. When it comes time to act, there may be additional problems to address, so preparations must be made for the future. Sometimes environmental impacts are not immediately visible but gradually become more apparent. He encouraged the company, when establishing a factory near communities, to conduct Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) activities. If the company improves conditions and benefits the public, the community will support it, making difficult issues easier to handle and fostering mutual understanding. After this incident, CSR activities could increase. Certainly, damage compensation must be carried out, but CSR serves as emotional healing, helping the public feel more friendly toward the factory.
He added that feelings are important and urged care for the public because no one wants such incidents to happen. Once they occur, collaboration is needed to solve problems, and those affected must receive assistance. He instructed the Ministry of Industry not to work alone but to involve local authorities and other agencies, such as the Pollution Control Department and the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment, to ensure all parties are confident that inspections are balanced and free of harassment.
Warawut noted that although incidents like this had not occurred before, such problems will become more frequent. Issues that were not problems before may arise, as in this case, where flooding revealed the spill. In the future, it might happen more often. He urged businesses and the Prachinburi industrial sector to implement prevention measures against leaks during heavy rain, such as building embankments around factories, and to determine appropriate heights for such protections.
