The Industry Ministry has blamed the illegal disposal of old refrigerators for the fridge waste washed into a housing estate in Chon Buri by recent rain.
Industry Minister Varawut Silpa-archa said on Tuesday the discarded refrigerator parts and broken styrofoam washed into Boonraksa Ville 2 housing estate in Sri Racha by heavy rain on July 4 originated at a refrigerator factory owned by Midea Intelligent Manufacturing Co in Nikhom Phatthana district of adjoining Rayong province.
The waste was illegally taken out of the factory in January and February, Mr Varawut said, speaking at Government House.
According to the minister, Fang Shang Sir Cu Lar Economy Management Co transported 2,351 refrigerator frames and 20,002 fridge body parts to an empty block of land beside the housing estate for sorting.
The ground inside the waste-sorting yard had been elevated, and the surrounding concrete fence collapsed into the housing estate grounds during heavy rain, sending a deluge of refrigerator waste into the residential compound.
