Electronic waste discovered in Sa Kaeo conservation forest

Residents of Tambon Talangnai, in the Wangnamyen district of Thailand’s Sa Kaeo province, have discovered a huge electronic waste dumping site, covering over 3.2 hectares of a conservation forest in the area. They are appealing to relevant authorities to inspect the site, fearing it might be harming the environment.

A Thai PBS reporter found the majority of the electronic waste consists of computer chips, circuit boards and wires. They were dumped near Subphlu-Kao Phu Heep mountain, where there is a concrete pole inscribed with the words “Conservation Area”.

Mr. Amnaj Phiphitkul, head of Tambon Talangnai, said he was informed by villagers that a notice reading “Get together and recycle” had been erected at the dump site, followed by a campsite to house a team of waste separation workers.

A Cambodian worker at the site told the Thai PBS reporter that the waste was transported to Thailand by sea, to Chonburi. He claimed that the authorities have been to inspect the waste and he was told to separate it and look for items with resale value.

Mr. Amnaj said that the land is part of conservation Zone C, as designated by Cabinet Order B.E. 2535 to preserve the land, water, plants, animals and rare or valuable natural resources for research and education. He added that an investigation will be launched to confirm whether this site can be used for electronic waste recycling activities.