Thai authorities are investigating hundreds of shipping containers suspected of carrying illegal waste imports, after inspections uncovered municipal and electronic waste believed to have originated from the United States. The Department of Special Investigation (DSI) is examining the case, which involves 714 containers flagged as potentially containing plastic waste, municipal waste and electronic scrap. Officials say the shipments may be linked to foreign recycling operations in Thailand and possible organised networks.

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Pol Lt Col Nattapol Ditsayatham, a specialist in consumer and environmental protection cases at the DSI, said the investigation began after information was received from international agencies. These included environmental cooperation groups in the United States operating under the Basel Convention and the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC). Additional intelligence came from civil society organisations, including the Ecological Alert and Recovery–Thailand Foundation, through the DSI Connect reporting system.

Authorities coordinated with the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment, the Pollution Control Department and Laem Chabang Port to verify the information. Initial inspections were carried out in Zone I of the port, where officers opened several containers and confirmed the presence of municipal waste and electronic waste matching the intelligence reports. The DSI is now preparing to elevate the case to special investigation status in order to expand the probe into a possible hazardous waste smuggling network.

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Natural Resources and Environment Suchat Chomklin also led officials to inspect containers at Laem Chabang Port in Chon Buri on 10 March 2026. Authorities opened 18 containers suspected of illegally importing electronic waste and found large quantities of contaminated metal fragments believed to be e-waste. One shipment, declared as scrap iron from Haiti, was found to contain metal fragments attached to electronic circuit boards, weighing 284,920 kilograms with an estimated value of 2.53 million baht.

Investigators said some shipments had been falsely declared as recyclable metal scrap to bypass import restrictions. Thailand prohibits the import of hazardous electronic waste under domestic law and international agreements such as the Basel Convention. Intelligence shared with the Basel Action Network also flagged containers declared as “metal scraps” and “mixed metal” from the United States destined for Japan and Hong Kong.

Officials noted that more than 300 of the 714 containers identified in the investigation have not yet entered Thailand. Authorities are working with UNODC and US agencies to determine whether these containers were returned to their origin or redirected to other countries.

Environmental officials warned that illegal waste imports can lead to improper disposal practices. In some cases usable components are removed for resale while the remaining waste is dumped in water sources or buried, potentially contaminating ecosystems. One example cited was contamination in the Jon River basin that required around 1 billion baht for environmental rehabilitation.

The DSI is awaiting documentation from the Customs Department, including shipping manifests and bills of lading, to identify companies responsible for importing the containers. If violations are confirmed, authorities said those involved could face charges under customs law as well as possible money laundering offences.

Officials also said containers that remain unclaimed at the port can be inspected after 30 days under customs regulations. If the waste is confirmed to be illegal, all containers will be returned to their country of origin, with the importer required to cover the repatriation costs.

Investigators added that many importers appear to be linked to foreign-owned recycling factories in Thailand. Some of these operations were established after China banned waste imports in 2017, prompting foreign investors to relocate recycling activities abroad.

Amarin reported that authorities said further inspections and legal action are expected as investigators trace the supply chain and identify both domestic and international actors involved in the shipments.

Pictures courtesy of Amarin

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Adapted by ASEAN Now Amarin 11 Mar 2026

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These operators know exactly what they’re doing, circumventing environmental laws, exploiting developing countries, and leaving locals to deal with toxic fallout.

It’s shameless, dangerous, and utterly unacceptable.

The authorities must ensure its returned to its "rightful" owners!