Picture courtesy of Matichon.

 

Residents of Moo 9 in Bo Thong subdistrict, Kabin Buri district, are voicing growing anger over foul, chemical-like odours they believe are coming from a nearby Chinese-owned electronic waste recycling plant. 

 

The stench, which some describe as resembling herbicide, has reportedly blanketed the entire village, sparking health concerns and frustration over a perceived lack of official response.

 

The issue was first highlighted in a viral Facebook post by a local woman, Ms Nongnuch, who wrote: “It stinks across the whole of Moo 9, Bo Thong. Can local leaders please come and inspect the factories?” The post has since attracted a flood of comments from fellow villagers who also complained of a strong, choking smell causing nausea and difficulty breathing.

 

When reporters visited the area at around 10:40 on 5 April, Ms Nongnuch explained that the odour was most intense late at night between 22:00 and 23:00. “At first, I thought something in my house was burning,” she said. “But my partner said it smelled like herbicide, very strong, very real. The smell persisted the entire day.”

 

She added that the issue appears to extend beyond her immediate village. “A friend from nearby Moo 4 in Ban Kut Pla Wi came to visit and said the smell was just as bad there.”

 

Despite the widespread complaints on social media, Ms Nongnuch said she had not yet made an official report to the local authorities, though others had reached out to their village head and subdistrict council members.

 

Another resident, Ms Ampee Sesri, confirmed the stench had lingered for at least two days. “It’s a sharp, chemical smell. I don’t know if it’s herbicide or fumes from a factory. There’s one about two kilometres away, near the end of the village.”

 

When contacted by the press, Mr Ekkaluck Sesri, head of Moo 9 village, admitted he had not received a formal complaint but was aware of the Facebook posts. He said factory representatives had already responded, attributing the smell to the initial heating of machinery during startup.

 

A investigation found a small electronic waste melting facility approximately two kilometres from the village, emitting a pungent odour closely resembling herbicide. Residents are now calling for a thorough investigation into the factory’s operations and for immediate action to protect public health.

 

The situation has raised fresh concerns about environmental oversight and industrial accountability in rural areas with expanding foreign-owned manufacturing zones.

 

-- 2025-04-07

 

Gee the Chinese are getting some bad press at the moment wonder why

Chinese business, again, again, again.

 

How much money has the Chinese Communist Party's enterprises been paying Thai officials to turn a blind eye?

 

Slowly selling Thailand to Chinese interests - why are the Thai ultra-nationalists NOT complaining (could they be Chinese assets?)?