Mr. Atthapol Charoenshunsa, Director General of Pollution Control Department (PCD), Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment (MONRE) revealed that PCD has been informed the complaint case of wastewater and odor problems causing from Wind Process Co.,Ltd. located on Village No. 4, Bangbuth Sub-district, Ban Khai District, Rayong Province. The investigation inside Wind Process Co.,Ltd.’s plant in October 2020 showed that there was the hazardous substance accumulation inside and outside plant’s building. Moreover, the environmental quality investigation inside the plant and nearby areas showed that there was wastewater with acid condition and heavy metal contamination in plant’s pond. Wastewater leakage from the pond inside the plant to outside caused high acid value and heavy metal accumulation in surface water nearby. The Volatile Organic Compound value was also found beside the plant which indicated that waste inside the plant was released to outside. These waste leakage and release caused damages to agricultural areas and public water sources. Later, PCD proposed the issue on addressing pollution problems in Wind Process Co.,Ltd. case to the National Environment Board on 25 January 2021. The National Environment Board Meeting resolved to allow MONRE by PCD to consider implementing in accordance with Section 96 and 97 of the Enhancement and Conservation of National Environmental Quality Act, B.E. 2535 (1992) if Wind Process Co.,Ltd. would not perform compensation for damages as required by law and must have a claim for damages from the Company. This allowed PCD to coordinate with relevant agencies for further operations as well as follow up and supervise rehabilitation operations in affected area.
Mr. Atthapol said that there has been the order on appointment of working group to collect evidences and expenses for claiming compensation with representatives from relevant agencies such as Department of Industrial Works, Department of Agriculture, Land Development Department, Department of Fisheries, Regional Environmental Office 13 (Chonburi), Provincial Office of Natural Resources and Environment, Rayong Provincial and Bangbuth Sub-district Administrative Organization. The working group has assessed the damage cost and the pollution elimination and environmental rehabilitation cost affected by the offence of Win Process Co., Ltd. and prepared the damage assessment information under Section 97 to summarize as issues for consideration in prosecution and civil damages.
The evidence collection of PCD showed that the expenses for claiming compensation would include 1) The cost of loss of opportunity to generate income of people amounted to 47 million baht which the expenses in this section have already been sued for damages; 2) The damages arising from non-utilization of natural resources which Bangbuth Sub-district Administrative Organization would use the rights to sue for damages; and 3) The cost of environmental rehabilitation amounted to 1,322,077,753.12 baht which PCD would be responsible for suing. However, for the procedure, PCD will send the letter to the Company to request for showing the intention to be liable for compensation within 15 days. If the Company refuses or remains silent, PCD will then bring an action to the Civil Court for further legal action, Mr. Atthaphon said.
