Illegal Charcoal Plant Raided in Ratchaburi, Locals Suffer from Pollution and Noise

Picture courtesy of Matichon

The head of the Nakhon Chum Subdistrict Administrative Organisation (SAO), Mr. Samai Kaewsa-ard, led a multi-agency raid on an unauthorised charcoal production facility that had been operating for three months on a nine-rai plot of rented land in Ban Pong district.

The operation was carried out in coordination with Mr. Chaiya Iamkham, Chief Executive Officer of the SAO, public health officials from Ratchaburi Province, local police from Ban Pong Police Station and Village Headman Mr. Adirek Thukhreua of Moo 8, Nakhon Chum Subdistrict.

The inspection followed multiple complaints from local residents, who reported persistent problems with noise, smoke and foul odours emitted by the charcoal kilns. Residents, particularly the elderly and children, said the smoke made it difficult to breathe and disrupted their daily lives.

Authorities discovered that the site had no legal operating permits. It consisted of 13 large steel kilns capable of producing about 50 sacks of charcoal each per firing. Workers were seen sorting and bagging the finished charcoal and preparing new batches of firewood for burning. A sign advertising the purchase of firewood and charcoal had been erected near the roadside and a weighing station for small trucks was also found on site.

Despite being a large-scale operation, the facility had no pollution control measures in place. As a result, the SAO has issued a formal order for the business to cease operations immediately until it obtains the necessary licences and implements proper environmental safeguards.

“If the operator fails to comply, legal action will be taken under the Factory Act and relevant environmental protection laws,” Mr. Samai stated.

This incident has once again raised concerns about unregulated industrial activity in residential areas and the impact on public health and quality of life.

  Adapted by Asean Now from Matichon 2025-07-10