Prachinburi: "The End of the Road" team, known for its rigorous investigations, raided the IF Prachinburi steel factory, uncovering illegal production activities. The team, including the "Sudsoi Team," discovered that "Chaow Steel Prachinburi" was unlawfully producing 7,433 tons of substandard steel bars, valued at over 148.67 million baht. Consequently, all the steel was seized, the production line was ordered to shut down, and four charges were filed, which include potential imprisonment and fines.
According to Thai News Agency, the Ministry of Industry's Extreme Inspection Team, led by Ms. Thitipat Chotidechachainan, collaborated with the Central Investigation Bureau, the Department of Special Investigation, the Consumer Protection Police Division, the Office of Trade Competition Commission, the Thai Industrial Standards Institute, the Department of Industrial Works, and the Prachin Buri Provincial Industrial Office. They conducted a thorough inspection of Chaow Steel Industry Co., Ltd., located in the Kabin Buri Industrial Estate, following reports of substandard steel production. Officials seized steel worth over 148.67 million baht. Samples of various sizes of round and deformed steel bars were collected for testing.
The test results revealed that the 6 mm and 8 mm round steel bars had deficient boron values, crucial for steel standards, while the deformed steel bars showed low boron and tensile yield values. Consequently, all non-standard steel bars were confiscated, and the company faced prosecution for manufacturing non-standard products, with penalties that could include up to 2 years of imprisonment, fines up to 2 million baht, or both. Additional charges were filed for improperly using the Thai Industrial Standards mark and selling non-standard products, each carrying potential penalties of imprisonment and fines.
During the investigation, it was discovered that Chaow Steel Industry Co., Ltd. was in the midst of transferring its TIS license to Chaow Steel Manufacturing Co., Ltd. Legally, this transfer must be completed before any production can occur. However, the company continued production despite notifying authorities of its license cancellation back in December 2014. This led to charges for unauthorized production, punishable by imprisonment up to 2 years, fines up to 2 million baht, or both, and an order to cease all steel bar production. The case may escalate to a special investigation, pending consideration by the Department of Special Investigation.