CHONBURI: Natural Resources and Environment Minister Suchart Chomklin on Monday chaired a joint inspection of cargo containers suspected of violating the Basel Convention on the control of hazardous waste, as Thai authorities pressed a crackdown on illegal e-waste and dangerous waste imports.
The operation took place at 10 a.m. on September 14th, 2026, at the Laem Chabang Port Customs Office and Hutchison Laem Chabang Terminal (D1). Customs Department Director-General Phan Thong Loykulnanta, Pollution Control Department Director-General Dr. Surin Vorakijthamrong, and Pol. Lt. Col. Nathaphol Ditsayatham, director of the Department of Special Investigation’s Natural Resources and Environment Crime Division, briefed the minister.
Customs reported that in the first 11 months of fiscal 2026 (October 2025–August 2026), it handled 187 environmental cases involving 9.67 million kilograms of seized goods valued at more than 234.4 million baht. The haul included 2.7 million kilograms of electronic waste, 6.6 million kilograms of hazardous waste and 300,000 kilograms of plastic scrap.
Phan Thong said Customs was acting on the government’s policy under Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul and Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Ekniti Nitithanprapas to take a proactive stance against illegal imports, especially e-waste and hazardous waste. The goal, he said, is not only enforcement but also protection of the environment and public health, and preventing Thailand from becoming a dumping ground for foreign waste.
The latest action followed an August 25th request from DSI to freeze 50 containers for investigation. Customs found that 19 of those containers had already been seized at Laem Chabang after violations were detected. Fourteen showed no record of entering the country. Of the remaining 17 that had entered, one had already been released before the freeze notice arrived, and six were awaiting contact from importers.
On August 26th, Customs, the Pollution Control Department and the Department of Industrial Works inspected 10 containers. Four matched their declarations. Six contained mixed electronic circuit boards or materials that may qualify as hazardous waste.
On Monday, officials planned to jointly open nine containers at the Hutchison terminal: the six previously found in violation and three additional containers from the same company.
Phan Thong said Customs screens inbound cargo, supplies import records and inspection results, and supports follow-up investigations. Solving the e-waste problem, he added, requires joint data-sharing, expertise and enforcement rather than action by any single agency.
Customs said it will continue aggressive screening of imports to intercept electronic and hazardous waste and will keep supporting partner agencies so Thailand does not become a destination for waste from abroad.
