Varawut Orders Industrial Waste Plant Shutdown Over Prachinburi Oil Leak

Environmental tensions have escalated in Prachinburi province as nearly 100 residents from three districts—Sri Maha Phot, Sri Mahosot, and Ban Sang—gathered to hold protest signs demanding an official investigation and the immediate closure of an industrial waste disposal plant. They also urged authorities to expedite the removal of accumulated garbage from the area. This protest follows a major public forum held on October 18, where over 2,000 community members voiced serious concerns over potential health and environmental hazards linked to the recycling facility after rainbow-colored oil slicks, polluted water, and dead fish appeared in the wake of recent severe flooding.

Local anxiety has intensified as floodwaters triggered the contamination of local water sources, raising fears over long-term impacts on public health, drinking water supplies, and agricultural lands across the affected communities.

Stock photo for illustration only, not from the actual event

Industry Minister Varawut Silpa-archa emphasized that the utmost priority is to care for and compensate affected citizens, particularly local farmers whose rice paddies face severe risks from oil contamination. If receding floodwaters leave oil residue clinging to rice stalks, the current harvest could be severely damaged. Furthermore, long-term monitoring will be required to evaluate soil quality, crop yields per rai, and the safety of subsequent harvests.

Preliminary findings indicate that the leaked substance was used engine oil stored by the plant as raw material for recycling. When floodwaters surged into the facility, the oil was carried away by currents, leading to the widespread leak. This incident highlights critical shortcomings in waste storage and risk management, for which the operators must be held fully accountable. Regarding concerns over a plastic-lined retention pond—where drone footage revealed bulging liners—officials stated there is currently no conclusive evidence of leakage, and a thorough physical inspection must wait until floodwaters recede.