Pictures courtesy of Department of Industrial Works

 

Authorities have uncovered a Chinese investment group illegally stockpiling a significant quantity of hazardous chemicals at a warehouse in Ayutthaya, sparking concerns over safety regulations and illegal storage practices.

 

Following complaints, the Department of Industrial Works dispatched officials on 24 February, to investigate a warehouse located in Kanhama, Uthai District. Upon inspection, they discovered the facility was rented by a Chinese group under a one-year lease commencing November 1, 2024.

 

Inside the warehouse, officials found numerous chemicals stored in packaging, some labelled as products from a private company based in Ayutthaya. Signs of cleaning chemical containers with water were also present, raising further alarms.

 

Testing of the chemical samples revealed a pH level of 1, indicating they could potentially be classified as hazardous materials under Thailand’s hazardous substances regulations.

 

The specific chemicals identified by Department of Industrial Works included:

 

1. Hydrochloric Acid: 104 x 25-litre containers

2. Thiourea: 19 sacks, each weighing 25 kg

3. Sodium Hydroxide: 3 x 25-litre containers

4. Sulfuric Acid: 22 x 25-litre containers

5. Hydrochloric Acid: 4 IBCs  (Intermediate Bulk Container or totes, 1,000 litres each) of unknown concentration

6. Sulfuric Acid: 3 IBCs (1,000 litres each)

7. Citric Acid Monohydrate: 16 sacks, each weighing 25 kg

 

Additionally, 117 unlabeled 25-litre containers were discovered, and the warehouse lacked any documentation permitting the storage of hazardous substances. In response, officials seized the materials and conducted further chemical analysis on selected samples.

The Department of Industrial Works has filed a complaint against those involved at Uthai Police Station, charging them with the illegal possession of hazardous substances without the necessary permits, as stipulated in Section 23, paragraph one, of the Hazardous Substance Act of 1992. Penalties for this offence may include a prison sentence of up to two years, a fine of up to 200,000 baht, or both, along with other relevant legal charges.

 

This incident highlights ongoing concerns regarding safety practices and regulatory compliance within the chemical storage industry in Thailand.

 

-- 2025-02-25

 

 

The Chinese do not care about Thai laws - They are Hi-So