Hazardous waste begins journey from Bangkok to Tak landfill

The initial batch of hazardous waste, illicitly relocated from a landfill in Tak, began its journey back yesterday, with the complete transfer set to be accomplished by June, disclosed an insider at the Industry Ministry.

The insider reported that the inaugural batch of cadmium and zinc tailings, comprising 270 tonnes out of the 13,000 tonnes discovered by the authorities at various sites in and around the capital, were successfully transported from warehouses owned by J&B Metal in Samut Sakhon and LLT Metal Co Ltd in Bangkok to pits owned by Bound & Beyond Plc in tambon Nong Bua Tai in Tak’s Muang district yesterday.

Interestingly, the transportation of the first batch of cadmium started ahead of the originally scheduled date of May 7.

Regarding the tailings at LLT Metal, the ministry coordinated with the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration to transfer 100 bags of waste, amounting to roughly 150 tonnes, utilising six 10-wheeled trucks.

These trucks were designed to accommodate up to 20 bags of tailings per journey.

The insider further added that to prevent the leakage of harmful waste, the bags were stacked in pairs. In addition, the trucks were enveloped in canvas and secured with a rope to ensure the bags remained intact.

Before departing from LLT Metal, the wheels of the trucks underwent a thorough cleaning process. These six trucks were later joined by trucks carrying another 120 tonnes of tailings from J&B Metal’s warehouses at their first stop before proceeding to Tak.

The remaining tailings will be gradually relocated from Samut Sakhon and Chon Buri to Tak. As per the earlier report, the operation is expected to reach completion by June 17.

On the other hand, Karit Pannaim, a Move Forward Party MP for Tak, revealed that many residents living near the pits in Tak, not having been informed about the early arrival of the tailings, expressed their concerns regarding the potential risks associated with the waste, reported Bangkok Post.