Bangkok: Thai authorities say they may use special powers given to the military government to impose a total ban on the import of such potentially toxic materials.

It follows a series of raids begun last month on factories accused of illegally importing and processing electronic waste.

Thai National Deputy Police Chief Wirachai Songmetta, centre with white gloves, law-enforcement officers and journalists walks past a pile of mobile batteries during a raid in Bangkok on Thursday. Credit:AP

Minister of Natural Resources and Environment General Surasak Karnjanarat said he would lead an effort to amend the law to include such a prohibition. He said if that proves impossible, Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha could invoke special powers to institute a ban.

Electronic waste creates huge health hazards. Many components are laden with lead and mercury, cadmium and other toxins. Lax controls mean that facilities often burn plastics to release encased copper and use unsafe methods to extract precious metals.