Factory operating times, regulations

[seajae]

We have a bitumen plant on the otherside of the rubber tree property next to us, it would be around 100 metres away at most, probably closer, in the last month or so they have been producing a real lot of dust and fumes that give us bad headaches when we go outside the house, one of our neighbours said they get nose bleeds when the fumes are really bad. They also operate from 7am to 7pm 7 days a week plus on holidays as well, we did contact the owner a few weeks ago and he said that it would stop after songkran but it didnt and dust levels have gotten worse. The dust is coming through our house even though we have all windows and doors closed, it is very fine and also covers our cars etc, air cons are getting clogged and everything outside is covered in a fine layer of dust.

 

We need to find out what the regulations regarding factories/plants state about working hours/days as well as the dust, sound  and fume/smell levels allowed, the plant has no fencing at all and by the smell and dust no filters, it has also grown quite big since it originally was built a few years ago. I have tried finding the correct regulationns on the internet but everything I find is for overseas even though I add Thailand to the search line, any information on the above would be greatly appreciated as we have organized a meeting with the owner and several of our neighbours and want to produce any regulations at the meeting to try to stop this happening. 

[FritsSikkink]

Here some info:

Dealing with Violations under Thailand’s Factory Act - Lexology

 

fac-en.pdf (diw.go.th)

 

Factory Act (diw.go.th)

 

[CharlieH]

Go to your Moo Bahn office and enquire there, also ask them to supply you with any relevant permissions needed etc and who you should be talking to about your problem.

 

 

[seajae]

20 hours ago, CharlieH said:

Go to your Moo Bahn office and enquire there, also ask them to supply you with any relevant permissions needed etc and who you should be talking to about your problem.

 

 

thanks CharlieH, will get it under way

 

 

[seajae]

21 hours ago, FritsSikkink said:

Here some info:

Dealing with Violations under Thailand’s Factory Act - Lexology

 

fac-en.pdf (diw.go.th)

 

Factory Act (diw.go.th)

 

thanks mate

 

[AustinRacing]

There are factories that operate 24/7. Question is whether the factory is in an industrial area. I notice in Thailand houses are sometimes built near factories and vice versa. It makes it grey area whether one can force the other to follow certain rules. It comes down to how much influence one has over the authorities and one can expect factories to better afford the influence. 

[seajae]

2 hours ago, AustinRacing said:

There are factories that operate 24/7. Question is whether the factory is in an industrial area. I notice in Thailand houses are sometimes built near factories and vice versa. It makes it grey area whether one can force the other to follow certain rules. It comes down to how much influence one has over the authorities and one can expect factories to better afford the influence. 

we are not in an industrial area, we have palm oil & rubber trees all around us,  the owner removed the trees in his area then built a small factory/facility when we first bought our land but has expanded it a great deal in the last 12 months. We never had dust or fumes/smell problems prior to the expansion, it is about 3 times the original size with a lot more noise being generated from all the extra machinery. Wife finally spoke to the local head man and he is supposed to be coming out here today to check it out and there is a meeting organized with the owner and many of the house owners that are effected for later this week. Wife has taken pics & videos of the amount of dust etc being genetrated, she has also got signatures and statements form the people effected, we have been told they are supposed to have a high fence all around the factory with mesh above it and water sprayers to reduce dust levels, none of which are there currently, somehow I think none of what has been done there has had any approval/inspections/permits, owner is very wealthy and has many relatives living in the area and thinks they can do as they please like many wealthy thais and has ignored all the requirements

[sherwood]

Good luck mate. I could think of few less desirable enterprises to be living near.

[AustinRacing]

27 minutes ago, seajae said:

we are not in an industrial area, we have palm oil & rubber trees all around us,  the owner removed the trees in his area then built a small factory/facility when we first bought our land but has expanded it a great deal in the last 12 months. We never had dust or fumes/smell problems prior to the expansion, it is about 3 times the original size with a lot more noise being generated from all the extra machinery. Wife finally spoke to the local head man and he is supposed to be coming out here today to check it out and there is a meeting organized with the owner and many of the house owners that are effected for later this week. Wife has taken pics & videos of the amount of dust etc being genetrated, she has also got signatures and statements form the people effected, we have been told they are supposed to have a high fence all around the factory with mesh above it and water sprayers to reduce dust levels, none of which are there currently, somehow I think none of what has been done there has had any approval/inspections/permits, owner is very wealthy and has many relatives living in the area and thinks they can do as they please like many wealthy thais and has ignored all the requirements

Looks like you’re doing what you can. Having many people in similar situation should add strength to your case. The wealthy guy will do what he can protect his business with more envelopes coming out. Making in more public may scare off the authorities in helping him out under the table. Mention it to both authorities who either gave him permission to do it unlawfully or turned the blind eye that you will get media and the infamous whistleblower involved if they don’t fix it. 

[seajae]

UPDATE: yesterday we had the meeting with the factory and the arbitor, quite a few neighbours were there too, after much banter between them all the arbitor has said the factory is to remain closed till they have sorted out the problems. Filters must be attached to stop the fumes/dust, water sprayers and fencing need to be set up and operating times/days need to be adhered to the law so it was a win for the common people, thanks for all the links and advice. Hopefully the factory owner adheres to this now.