According to an official statement released on Wednesday, the Thai Ministry of Industry has ordered the immediate shutdown of two manufacturing facilities in Udon Thani province due to severe safety violations.
Industry Minister Akanat Promphan directed a team of inspectors, including officials from the Department of Industrial Works and the Udon Thani Provincial Industrial Office, to investigate the Thai Udon Thani Sugar Factory and the Thai Udon Thani Power Plant, both located in the Kham Bong Sub-district of Ban Phue District.
The investigation uncovered alarming practices at both sites:
Thai Udon Thani Sugar Factory
This factory was identified as the largest burner of sugarcane in Thailand, responsible for 43.11% of the country’s total burned sugarcane—over 410,000 tons. The environmental impact of this activity is equivalent to the destruction of more than 41,000 rai (approximately 6,560 hectares) of forest in Udon Thani province.
Thai Udon Thani Power Plant
The power plant, which supplies electricity and steam to the sugar factory, violated safety regulations, posing significant risks to workers and nearby residents.
Additionally, the sugar factory faced further safety concerns, including:
Unsafe storage and handling of chemicals, hazardous substances, and industrial waste.
Damaged electrical control cabinets that presented a serious electrical hazard.
Inadequate fire extinguishing systems in multiple areas.
The Udon Thani Provincial Industry Office has ordered both facilities to cease operations immediately. The shutdown will remain in effect until all identified issues are resolved and the facilities comply with Thai law.
Minister Akanat emphasised the importance of safety and environmental responsibility, stating, “Factories must adopt safe and environmentally sound practices. While industrial activity is vital for economic growth, it should never come at the cost of public health or the well-being of surrounding communities.”
