Bangkok:The Commerce Ministry is taking stringent actions to curb the illegal importation of waste, particularly focusing on metal scraps mixed with electronic waste.

According to Thai News Agency, the Department of International Trade is enhancing its efforts by working closely with embassies to alert exporters in their countries of origin and collaborating with relevant agencies to boost inspections of imported scrap metal. This initiative aims to prevent the smuggling of electronic waste and other prohibited materials into Thailand.

Ms. Arada Fuangthong, Director-General of the Department of International Trade, emphasized the department's commitment to controlling the importation of waste to prevent Thailand from becoming a dumping ground for foreign waste and to mitigate environmental and public health risks. In response to a request from the Pollution Control Department, the Ministry of Commerce has previously designated municipal waste, electronic waste, plastic scraps, used tires, and rubber scraps as prohibited imports after consultations with government agencies, the private sector, and civil society.

The Department is also coordinating with foreign embassies to ensure exporters comply with Thailand's import bans, preventing the entry of prohibited waste at the point of origin. Cooperation has been established with the Customs Department, the Pollution Control Department, the Department of Industrial Works, and other relevant agencies to improve inspection efficiency and prevent false declarations, particularly concerning scrap metal imports that might contain electronic waste or prohibited materials.

Discussions are ongoing among relevant agencies to develop joint inspection guidelines, including risk assessments and additional inspection criteria under each agency's laws, to thwart illegal waste importation through unauthorized channels. The goal is to facilitate the legal import of high-quality scrap metal essential for the industrial sector.

Ms. Arada highlighted that these efforts align with the policy of Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Commerce, Ms. Supajee Suthamphan, who advocates using trade measures to deter illegal waste imports. The Department remains committed to enforcing these measures while promoting the legal importation of industrial raw materials to protect the environment and public health.