Plutaluang residents and
officials meet to protest a Chinese-owned oil-reprocessing facility,
citing unpleasant odors and suspicions that foreigners were polluting
the Thai countryside.
Patcharapol Panrak
Plutaluang residents protested a Chinese-owned oil-reprocessing
facility, citing unpleasant odors and suspicions that foreigners were
polluting the Thai countryside.
Sattahip Permanent Secretary Pikul Sopa and Plutaluang Deputy Mayor
Wisanu Tosombut led the Aug. 29 protest against Everfrank Technology Co.
Among the 100 attendees were representatives from the Industry Ministry,
Chonburi Public Health Department, and Plutaluang Public Health Services
Office.
Everfrank separates petroleum products, produces mixed and base oil, and
wood paint oil recycled from used petroleum. It is owned by Chinese
nationals Pang Wang Teng and Pang Chee.
Residents complained about the smell of burning oil and claimed the
factory was polluting the air and nearby water, although they produced
no evidence to back their allegations. Nevertheless, they demanded the
Chinese shut down and move out of their neighborhood.
Wisanu claimed the factory does not meet legal standards and has caused
neighbors to suffer from allergies. He also claimed neighbors have been
unable to use the water supply for a year.
The Chonburi Public Health Department cited the factory in April for
nine code breaches, including leaking machines, non-sealed tanks,
non-standard filters, standing oil pools and soiled sand, a lack of
barrier walls around tanks, and hauling waste without a permit.
The health officials also ordered the factory to remove drainage pipes
leading to public canals and install a water-management system, as well
as install emission sensors on smokestacks.
The issues were supposed to have been corrected by May 30, but the
factory owners allegedly have not complied.
Industry Ministry representative Chaiya Maethakul also claimed the
factory was not up to standards and that the Chinese owners have been
charged with importing machinery without permits and would be ordered to
close.
The two owners listened to the protestors complaints, but were non
committal on when they’d enact any changes or if they’d shut down.
