Report Thai MP Warns Against Hazardous Waste Turning Nation into "World's Dump"

[snoop1130]

File photo for reference only

 

Thailand's environmental integrity is under threat as illegal imports of hazardous waste continue unchecked, cautions Nitipon Piwmow, MP for the People's Party. On World Environment Day, Mr. Nitipon sounded the alarm in a Facebook post, highlighting the serious consequences of becoming the world's refuse destination.

 

As the first vice chairman of the House of Representatives' ad hoc committee on El Niño-related drought prevention, he pointed to alarming findings by the Basel Action Network (BAN), a US-based NGO focused on global hazardous waste trade. BAN reports that between May 30 and June 21, 35 cargo ships from the US are set to arrive at Laem Chabang Port in Chon Buri province, carrying 222 containers of waste. The contents are predominantly electronic waste, with a few filled with plastic materials. Some of these shipments are already on Thai shores, while others are still en route.

 

Mr. Nitipon has called on the government to act decisively by inspecting and rejecting these toxic shipments. He argues that these imports violate both domestic laws and international conventions governing hazardous wastes. "If we don't act now, Thailand risks becoming the world's dumping ground for toxic waste," he warned.

 

The imports, often justified as temporary storage before being forwarded to China, exploit a legal loophole, he notes. This poses a significant environmental risk as some waste may never leave, leading to potential contamination. Mr. Nitipon emphasized the long-term pollution threat, warning that continued negligence could turn certain areas into de facto dumping sites.

 

Despite legislative bans on such imports, illegal waste shipments persist, often facilitated by "zero-dollar" operations that exploit loopholes in the law. These enterprises process the waste into inferior materials or export them cheaply. Mr. Nitipon calls for stringent action to close these gaps, ensuring Thailand doesn't bear the brunt of the world's waste.

 

His statements serve as a crucial alert to authorities and the public on Thailand's environmental vulnerabilities, advocating for policies that protect the country's natural resources from being overshadowed by hazardous waste from abroad.

 

  Adapted by ASEAN Now from Bangkok Post 2025-06-06

 

 

[blaze master]

Thai have done a great job of throwing garbage all over their beloved nation. 

 

The best is when you see an old lady sweeping the front of her property every morning making sure any trash is outside her line. 

 

There looks great I can go feed a soi dog now

 

[watchcat]

16 hours ago, blaze master said:

There looks great I can go feed a soi dog now

 

I bet she doesn't sweep upp the poo after the soi dogs.