Suchart Orders Pollution Control Dept to Investigate Chonburi Odor
Natural Resources and Environment Minister Suchart Chomklin ordered an inspection in Bo Thong, Chonburi on Sept 2, 2026, after VOCs hit 90 ppm, ordering plant shutdowns.
Stock photo for illustration only, not from the actual event
- Minister Suchart Chomklin ordered a crackdown on foul odors in Chonburi.
- Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) reached 90 ppm in Bo Thong district.
- Authorities ordered operations suspended at target facilities and expanded inspections.
Minister of Natural Resources and Environment Suchart Chomklin has instructed the Pollution Control Department to urgently investigate complaints regarding a severe foul odor affecting residents in Chonburi province. The directive mandates expanding inspections to surrounding factories and facilities suspected of being pollution sources to locate the exact origin and enforce corrective measures, prioritizing public health above all.
The joint inspection took place on September 2, 2026, led by a high-level team including Ployraphat Singtotong from the Prime Secretariat, Pol. Lt. Gen. Itthiporn Pothong, advisor to the Minister, and Thananchai Wannasuk, Deputy Director-General of the Pollution Control Department. Officials from the Environmental and Pollution Control Office Region 13 (Chonburi), the Chonburi Natural Resources and Environment Office, and Bo Thong Police Station also participated in inspecting three establishments in Moo 3, Bo Kwang Thong subdistrict, Bo Thong district, Chonburi.
Stock photo for illustration only, not from the actual event
The inspection covered three target facilities, comprising two industrial factories and another business establishment in Bo Thong district. Authorities discovered volatile organic compound (VOCs) levels surging as high as 90 ppm, a concentration posing significant risks to the local environment and community well-being.
Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) are chemicals that easily evaporate at room temperature and are commonly associated with industrial processes, chemical plants, and solvent usage. Detecting a high concentration of 90 ppm in a residential area indicates a failure in pollution containment by local operations, which can cause immediate eye, nose, and throat irritation, as well as chronic respiratory risks if left unregulated.
In response, the Ministry ordered the problematic facilities to suspend operations immediately while directing related agencies to rigorously audit other suspected sites across Chonburi to prevent recurrent incidents and hold violators accountable under environmental laws.
Source: Khaosod Politics
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