Thai authorities have raided an unlicensed factory reportedly operated by Chinese nationals that was secretly sorting and processing electronic waste in the heart of Samut Sakhon province.
Police from the Natural Resources and Environmental Crime Suppression Division (NED) and officials from the provincial office of the Ministry of Industry inspected the premises of Hongyue Hongyue Renewable Resources Technology (Thailand) Co in tambon Bang Thorad of Muang district on Saturday.
They were following up on complaints from local residents that large quantities of electronic waste had been illegally imported and stored at the site, said Pol Maj Gen Anek Taosuparb, the NED commander.
Investigations revealed that the site was run by Chinese nationals, with many truckloads of e-waste transported into the compound and stockpiled in large quantities. The waste had been concealed under tarpaulins to avoid detection.
According to police, the factory had previously been raided and ordered shut down in early 2025. However, it was later found to have resumed operations illegally.
During the inspection, officers found substantial piles of materials, including electrical wiring, metal scraps and electronic waste residue, stored at several locations within the premises and covered.
A large number of machines and equipment used for sorting and processing e-waste were also discovered, said Pol Maj Gen Anek.
The operation appeared to fall under the category of a Type 106 factory, which is authorised to handle hazardous waste such as chemicals, electrical wiring and other dangerous materials.
Preliminary information identified the owner as a Chinese national, named Xu Xunbo. However, he was not present during the inspection and could not be contacted.
Provincial industry officials confirmed that the factory lacked a valid operating licence. The accumulated materials, consisting of mixed wiring and metal fragments, were believed to constitute hazardous substances, with an estimated volume of 3,274 cubic metres.
Following the inspection, the industry officials filed a complaint with investigators at the Bang Thorad police station, seeking legal action against the company for establishing and operating a factory without a licence in violation of the Factory Act.
The offence carries penalties of up to two years’ imprisonment and/or a fine of up to 200,000 baht.
Samples of the seized materials have been collected for laboratory analysis to determine the exact type of hazardous substances involved.
Authorities plan to expand the investigation and take further action against those responsible.
