Operations to transport chemical waste from a fire-ravaged warehouse in Ban Khai District, Rayong Province, were halted on the second day. Villagers in the destination area who sent them to be disposed of at a smelter in Phanat Nikhom District, Chonburi Province protested against allowing them to be transported. From 9 trucks containing 100 tons, there were 7,000 tons of aluminum waste, of which 201 tons were transported on the first day after villagers heard the news and gathered to protest. Fear of impact on surrounding communities The Governor of Chonburi hastened to coordinate with relevant agencies to clarify and understand the fire incident at the industrial chemical waste warehouse of Win Process Company Limited, Ban Nong Phawa, Bang But Subdistrict, Ban Khai District, Rayong Province, on the 22nd. Apr. Initially, the cause was believed to be arson and destruction of property in a case in which the court ordered the closure of the factory. Police are in the process of investigating and prosecuting those involved. Meanwhile, the Department of Industrial Works brought representatives of four major waste disposal contractors in the country to move chemical waste that had been burnt for disposal. Separately transport 400 tons of glass etching sludge to be disposed of at the cement plant, Kaeng Khoi District, Saraburi Province. As for aluminum slag, or 7,000 tons of aluminum drop, sent to be disposed of at a factory in Phanat Nikhom District, Chonburi Province. The first day of moving began on May 18. It is expected that it will take approximately 90 days to complete the progress in moving the waste. The chemicals on the second day appeared to have to be stopped. This is because there is opposition from villagers in the destination area who send chemical waste for disposal. On May 19, reporters reported that After the first day of transporting the glass etching sludge to be disposed of at the cement factory, Kaeng Khoi District, Saraburi Province, there were no problems, as was the transport of the aluminum drop waste to be disposed of at Metal Com Company Limited’s factory, Phanat Nikhom District. Chonburi Province, transporting 201 tons on the first day, had no problems either. But this morning, which is the second day of moving the first lot, there were 9 trucks coming in to transport aluminum waste, total weight 100 tons, to be delivered to the destination at Metalcom Company’s factory, Phanat Nikhom District. Chonburi Province as usual. It appears that there were villagers in the area who heard the news and gathered at the company to protest against their refusal to allow the aluminum waste that was transported from all 9 trucks. Mr. Komen Piewphum, an industrial assistant in Rayong province, revealed that While a truck was transporting aluminum dross waste to be disposed of at a factory in Phanat Nikhom District, Chonburi Province, villagers opposed it. Causing the transport of aluminum waste inside Warehouse 3 in the afternoon to be completely halted. There are no more frontline staff. It is expected that we will have to wait for clarification of the destination first. However, we now know that Mr. Thawatchai Srithong, Governor of Chonburi Province, along with relevant agencies will rush to explain and understand with the villagers in the afternoon. Reporters went to observe Metalcom Company Limited, an aluminum smelter factory. Located at Ban Plaeng Kratin, Village No. 9, Hua Thanon Subdistrict, Phanat Nikhom District, Chonburi Province. The atmosphere in front of the factory is completely closed. Because it is a holiday Reporters tried to question the company’s security guards. How many chemicals have been transported and where are they stored? But the company’s security guards refused to answer questions or talk to reporters. Reporters asked nearby residents. They were concerned about dangerous chemicals being transported into the area. May affect the community and environment. Therefore, a meeting was held to oppose it. Asking Mr. A (pseudonym), a villager from Ban Plaeng Krathin, said that the villagers did not know about the transport of chemicals to be disposed of at this factory. There was no notification or notice to the villagers at all. Everyone is worried about the dangers of chemicals. Because these days, villagers have had enough of suffering from aluminum smelting that emits smoke and smell from factories. This time, chemicals will also be brought in to melt and destroy. I’d like to leave it to the relevant agencies to take care of it and find a way to fix it and take it out somewhere else. There are reports that On the morning of May 20, a group of villagers will gather in front of Metalcom Company to protest against the transport of chemical waste from Rayong Province to be disposed of at this smelter. There is fear that there will be danger to the surrounding community, while the Chonburi Governor has already received the report. Coordinate with officials from relevant agencies to prepare to go to the area to talk and understand the villagers as well. Read All “Thairath newspaper columns” here
