Thailand’s Pollution Control Department (PCD) is demanding 1.8 billion baht in compensation from a private company for environmental damage allegedly caused by toxic chemicals discharged from its factory, located at the 304 Industrial Park in Phanom Sarakham district of the eastern province of Chachoengsao.
According to PCD Director-General Atthaphol Charoenchansa, officials from the Royal Irrigation and Ground Water Resources departments, the Chon Buri-based environment office and the Chachoengsao-based natural resources and environment office conducted an extensive investigation into complaints of chemical pollutants being discharged into the Nam Jone reservoir, in the industrial park, allegedly from the factory of THH Molyprocessing Company.
Samples from the reservoir and of ground water around the factory were sent to laboratories of relevant agencies for tests.
Atthaphol said that the chemicals found in the samples match the chemicals produced by the company, which are molybdenum trioxide and ferro molybdenum.
The total costs for cleaning up the affected areas and restoring the environment, which includes the 1.97 million cubic metre reservoir and the ground water, are estimated at about 1.8 billion baht, he said.
Citing the principle of “polluters pay”, the PCD head said that the department has already notified the management of THH Molyprocessing of the compensation required for the restoration of the environment and gave it 30 days to respond, otherwise the department will take legal action against the company.
Source: Thai Public Broadcasting Service (Thai PBS)