SA KAEO — Authorities in Sa Kaeo have seized a 22-wheel truck carrying industrial waste after it was allegedly caught dumping hazardous material on private land in Watthana Nakhon district.
The operation was launched after residents in Huai Chot sub-district alerted officials on Tuesday evening that a trailer truck with Prachin Buri licence plates had entered a privately-owned laterite pit spanning nearly 500 rai.
Villagers suspected the site was being used for the illegal disposal of industrial waste.
Administrative officials, led by Huai Chot Subdistrict Administrative Organisation chief Wichai Bannasan, and police from Watthana Nakhon Police Station found a Hino tractor-trailer parked at the site with both trailers still fully loaded.
The driver allegedly fled on foot before authorities reached the scene.
Officials also found six piles of industrial waste already dumped over an area of about one ngan (400 square metres). The site has been sealed off while investigators collect evidence.
Investigating officer Pol Lt Naphanan Panthep said police had seized the pickup truck and a motorcycle, found at the scene.
Police are questioning the landowner and are looking for the driver, who escaped during heavy rainfall.
Residents have expressed fear over possible runoff from the elevated dumping site that could wash contaminants into Huai Chot stream, Khlong Yang and Khlong Phra Prong, waterways that supply raw water for the village's tap water system, raising concerns over possible environmental and public health impacts.
Investigators also recovered the driver's licence inside the truck. The licence showed the driver is registered in Nong Bon sub-district of Muang district, Sa Kaeo, and that he shares a surname with the owner of land in Sa Khwan sub-district previously linked to alleged illegal industrial waste dumping.
Police said the possible connection remains under investigation and stressed that no individual's involvement has been confirmed.
