Samut Sakhon checks flag 134 waste plants over suspected violations
Officials ordered three factories to stop work temporarily and took criminal action against 54, while samples from 1,352 tonnes of material were sent for testing.
- A special task force inspected 146 waste factories in Samut Sakhon, finding that 134 (92%) were in suspected violation of regulations.
- As a result of the inspections, three factories were ordered to temporarily cease operations and criminal action was initiated against 54 others.
- Specific violations discovered at one plant included performing unlicensed recycling, using unapproved machinery, and illegally stockpiling over 1,300 tonnes of materials.
Industry Minister Varawut Silpa-archa said a special task force inspected 146 waste-sorting, landfill and recycling factories in Samut Sakhon province from Thursday (November 12, 2026) to Friday (November 13, 2026), as part of continuing efforts to monitor factory operations and enforce regulations.
The report came from Decha Chatutananant, the ministry’s chief inspector-general and head of the task force.
The inspections identified 134 factories, or 92% of those checked, as suspected of breaching factory regulations.
Three were ordered to stop operating temporarily, while officials took criminal action against 54 for various alleged offences, with further action to follow.
The Ministry of Industry will follow up with waste and recycling factories where problems were found to ensure they make the necessary changes and operate legally, Varawut said.
The aim is to prevent harm to the public and the environment.
The ministry plans to complete inspections of all 3,049 targeted factories nationwide by the end of 2026, or early 2027 at the latest.
The minister urged the public to stay alert and report unusual factory activity or suspected illegal operations through the ministry’s 24-hour hotline, 1564.
Such reports would help officials investigate and take firm action against factories breaking the rules.
Varawut also outlined findings provided by Krit Chansuwan, a ministry inspector-general who led the Samut Sakhon inspection team, and Phuttikorn Wichaidit, the province’s industry chief.
The factory inspected in Mueang Samut Sakhon district was licensed to dismantle and shred electrical and electronic equipment, shred plastics, sort materials that are not hazardous waste, and crush, melt and cast metal slag for reuse.
Inspectors found that the factory had not followed an order banning the use of machinery in an extension that had not been approved.
Outside the factory premises, the team found crushing operations linked to metal melting, using machinery rated at 170 horsepower.
Officials identified this activity as recycling or processing waste for reuse.
Plastic shredding and melting using 75-horsepower machinery were also found. These additional operations were not covered by the factory’s existing licence, and officials said they had been set up and run without the required permission.
A total of 1,352 tonnes of raw materials or discarded materials was also found in stockpiles outside the factory.
A factory representative said the materials were stored for use in production.
Officials ordered the factory to stop the activities that breached factory regulations and seized the stockpiles.
Samples were collected and sent for laboratory testing to determine whether the materials were hazardous substances.
If the tests confirm this, officials will take further legal action under laws governing hazardous substances.
