In a rather unexpected turn of events, the tranquil settings of Samut Sakhon found itself in the midst of an ecological predicament that seemed more like a plot from a sci-fi thriller than reality. The central figure in this unfolding drama? Approximately 15,000 tonnes of cadmium waste, quietly lurking in the shadows of foundries at Bang Nam Chued, situated a mere 30 kilometers southwest of the bustling metropolis of Bangkok. It was on a seemingly ordinary Thursday that Governor Phol Damtham, armed with concern and a mission for public safety, unearthed this toxic secret during a routine inspection.
These villainous bags of waste were not just any ordinary villains; most of them were ensconced within the dark, cavernous belly of a foundry building, plotting their silent assault on the environment. But, like any intrepid tale of ecological heroism, a hundred of these rogue agents had brazenly made their escape outdoors, daring to be discovered. Without missing a beat, the inspectors, acting as the guardians of the land, commanded these bags to retreat indoors, away from the unsuspecting public.
The plot thickened when the Industrial Affairs Committee unwrapped another layer of this mystery, revealing that a company had previously offloaded over 10,000 tonnes of cadmium ore tailings, burying them in the serene landscapes of Tak province, only for these to find their way to the foundries of Samut Sakhon. The very act of transporting this cadmium waste was casting a long shadow over public health, compelling Governor Damtham to declare a disaster zone, a move that rippled through the community with a mix of disbelief and urgency.
However, in a twist that could only be described as bureaucratic suspense, Samut Sakhon’s Disaster Prevention and Mitigation Office weighed in, stating that the foundries were merely roped off for 90 days, skirting the definition of a disaster zone. This semantic distinction did little to diminish the gravity of the situation as an investigation was set in motion to trail the path of the cadmium, seeking answers to whether this toxic intruder had breached the sanctity of residential areas.
Governor Damtham, a figure who by now had assumed the mantle of a determined protagonist in this narrative, issued a decree that would halt the smelting operations of the foundry for 90 days. The foundry operator was given a seven-day ultimatum: return the cadmium to the depths of the Tak province landfill from whence it came. It was during Thursday’s inspection that a veritable Pandora’s box was opened: the two foundries held the permission to store and crush industrial waste, but their dalliance with aluminium smelting was the only affair sanctioned by the state. And here they were, caught in the act of perhaps illegally smelting cadmium, a deed shrouded in mystery and carrying the weight of potential fines or even imprisonment.
Putthikorn Wichaidit of the Provincial Industry Office, standing as the oracle of this saga, affirmed, “The cadmium waste was rendered inert before being disposed of in a landfill in Tak province. However, retrieving it from the landfill and transporting it to Samut Sakhon province for smelting is an offence.” It appeared there were more layers to this mystery, as a representative from the foundry confessed the cadmium waste had been part of the factory’s scenery since August of the previous year, leaving unanswered the question of whether any of the cadmium had already been smelted.
The inspectors from the Pollution Control Department presented a revelation that could almost be considered a silver lining in this cloud of toxic uncertainty: the bags held a concoction of cadmium and lead waste, mixed with 30% cement to create an inert solid. This mixture, if kept dry and confined, promised not to contaminate its surroundings, a small mercy in the grand scheme of things.
In the continuum of industrial progress and environmental stewardship, the saga of Samut Sakhon serves as a harrowing reminder that the line between safety and disaster is often defined by vigilance, responsibility, and the unyielding pursuit of truth. As this story unfolds, one cannot help but ponder the delicate balance between human enterprise and the sanctity of our natural world.
It’s absolutely appalling to see industries still getting away with such irresponsible behavior towards the environment. The full weight of the law needs to be applied here to set an example.
While I agree that environmental protection is crucial, we need to remember that industries are also struggling. Strict penalties might lead to job losses, affecting thousands of families.
The problem is, if we keep prioritizing immediate economic benefits over environmental health, there might not be an ‘industry’ to save in the first place. It’s short-sighted to overlook that.
Strict penalties are indeed necessary, but they alone aren’t the solution. This highlights a bigger issue of lack of enforcement and oversight in the first place.
Samut Sakhon is my home. It’s heartbreaking to hear about this. We’ve been breathing air thinking it’s safe. How long has this been going on without us knowing?
The sad truth is, it could have been years. It often takes an investigation to uncover these issues. We need more transparency.
That’s exactly what scares me. If it took this long to find out this one, how many more are out there?
Considering the article, it seems there’s a temporary resolution by making the cadmium waste inert. This isn’t a permanent solution though. It highlights the urgent need for sustainable waste disposal methods.
Absolutely! We should leverage emerging technologies to manage and dispose of industrial waste more effectively. Innovative startups are already making strides in this area.
This fiasco underscores the pressing need for policy reform. Without stringent regulations and checks, companies will continue to flout environmental norms for profit.
I can’t help but wonder if declaring it a disaster zone was more for show than an actual plan for action. Has there been any real progress?
In times like these, actions often follow public pressure. The declaration might be a step to signal seriousness. However, it’s essential to keep the momentum and public interest to ensure follow-through.
Reading this, I can’t help but feel hopeless. What can an average person do to actually make a difference in these overwhelming issues?
Jamie, we might feel small as individuals, but collective action has power. Support environmental groups, stay informed, and vote responsibly. Every little action contributes to a larger change.
What about the health impact on the local community? Cadmium exposure is no joke. We need more health monitoring in place now than ever.
This is what the results of an Operation Genocide looks like. Yes, why not act confused at the findings of a massive operation of lethal agents “discovered”. Who wasn’t brown enveloped? Who is seeking a “promotion”? That contaminant Is in Thai airways, in its waterways, in its soil, its everywhere. There, there crying baby, let me feed you this milk’o’cadmium. Sweet cadmium milk tea anyone? How about fish-cadmium curry? That is Soft Power. Silently kill everyone and be the face of failure digitized forever.
Your existence means they will exterminate you. Thank you for visiting the Land of Seniles.
So much more absolutely lethal contaminants are in circulation in ‘plain sight’, and Thailand is perfect because Money is God so they turn their eyes away as long as their bank account is stuffed. Hey even Buddha was rich, and by what means, no one knows the trail of violence his family enacted to obtain and maintain their wealth.
Nothing will be done to rid Thailand of corruption and its anti-Nature, anti-environment, anti-Life worldview, and it’s as if they have to be violently stopped from weaponizing toxins environmentally against all of humanity.
This is what the results of an Operation Genocide looks like. Yes, why not act confused at the findings of a massive operation of lethal agents “discovered”. Who wasn’t brown enveloped? Who is seeking a “promotion”? That contaminant Is in Thai Airways, in its waterways, in its soil, its everywhere. There, there crying baby, let me feed you this milk’o’cadmium. Sweet cadmium milk tea anyone? How about fish-cadmium curry? That is Soft Power. Silently kill everyone and be the face of failure digitized forever.
CMU’s Prof. Panuwan’s short lived life, and the lives of thousands of Thai people, and the thousands of foreigners, who are either migrants (for work or from war) or who pay to come to visit Thailand by the droves on a “holi-day, with their clean lungs in tact, Will suffer. You even have senile expats based in chiang mai for eons telling others that the air quality is “not that bad”, go ahead, come and bring the kids. Ritualized murder aka Operation Genocide seeks to profit off your life essence. Humans and animals in Chiang mai are being sacrificed, and they will used to collect a handout, so that it will land in the pockets of the few. “Useless eaters” must be done away with, so why not make the illusion more complex than it is, and blame something Far, Far away, as you drive by the forest and your neighbor’s plantation on fire.
Nothing will be done, and it’s as if they have to be violently stopped from weaponizing toxins environmentally against all of humanity. Her life was wasted. No outrage. No changes in air quality aside from it getting increasingly worse. If only the toxins could be precise to enter the lungs of those who should enforce active change. It can happen overnight, but look at where Chiang Mai rests still obscured with Cancer Air, how fitting.
Others travel to Europe to be able to fill out paper work in a controlled environment, a hospice-like space, where they are gently guided to reduce the light of their life on Earth, by their will and choice, and without impacting millions of others. In Thailand as a whole, and specifically in Chiang Mai, you have NO choice. You all will be impacted, infected, lungs sliced by carcinogens, children gasping for air as their young + strong lungs are splintered. NOTHING will be done. You will be euthanized painfully slow, did you bring your children in tow, wonderful. Enjoy the soft power of Lung Slicing as the Thai New Year will bring more of the same.
They will scratch their heads as if confused by why there is commotion and haphazardly try to use a “rain making machine” or garden water sprinklers to menacingly demonstrate their true hatred + contempt at humanity. Save their face, take 5000 baht and a wai for your life. Thad’s good enough for you. Their ineffective and lazy bureaucracy is weaponized to ensure the problems fester longer, because Someone IS benefiting, and your lives, demonstrated by their inaction is worthless.
Perhaps their interpretation of Buddha’s precepts is to Kill Billions, rinse and repeat, merit making in progress
This is what the results of an Operation Genocide looks like. Yes, why not act confused at the findings of a massive operation of lethal agents “discovered”. Who wasn’t brown enveloped? Who is seeking a “promotion”? That contaminant Is in Thai Airways, in its waterways, in its soil, it’s everywhere. There, there crying baby, let me feed you this milk’o’cadmium. Sweet cadmium milk tea anyone? How about fish-cadmium curry? That is Soft Power. Silently kill everyone and be the face of failure digitized forever.
CMU’s Prof. Panuwan’s short lived life, and the lives of thousands of Thai people, and the thousands of foreigners, who are either migrants (for work or from war) or who pay to come to visit Thailand by the droves on a “holi-day, with their clean lungs in tact, Will suffer. You even have senile expats based in chiang mai for eons telling others that the air quality is “not that bad”, go ahead, come and bring the kids. Ritualized murder aka Operation Genocide seeks to profit off your life essence. Humans and animals in Chiang mai are being sacrificed, and they will used to collect a handout, so that it will land in the pockets of the few. “Useless eaters” must be done away with, so why not make the illusion more complex than it is, and blame something Far, Far away, as you drive by the forest and your neighbor’s plantation on fire.
Nothing will be done, and it’s as if they have to be violently stopped from weaponizing toxins environmentally against all of humanity. Her life was wasted. No outrage. No changes in air quality aside from it getting increasingly worse. If only the toxins could be precise to enter the lungs of those who should enforce active change. It can happen overnight, but look at where Chiang Mai rests still obscured with Cancer Air, how fitting.
Others travel to Europe to be able to fill out paper work in a controlled environment, a hospice-like space, where they are gently guided to reduce the light of their life on Earth, by their will and choice, and without impacting millions of others. In Thailand as a whole, and specifically in Chiang Mai, you have NO choice. You all will be impacted, infected, lungs sliced by carcinogens, children gasping for air as their young + strong lungs are splintered. NOTHING will be done. You will be euthanized painfully slow, did you bring your children in tow, wonderful. Enjoy the soft power of Lung Slicing as the Thai New Year will bring more of the same.
They will scratch their heads as if confused by why there is commotion and haphazardly try to use a “rain making machine” or garden water sprinklers to menacingly demonstrate their true hatred + contempt at humanity. Save their face, take 5000 baht and a wai for your life. Thad’s good enough for you. Their ineffective and lazy bureaucracy is weaponized to ensure the problems fester longer, because Someone IS benefiting, and your lives, demonstrated by their inaction is worthless.
Perhaps their interpretation of Buddha’s precepts is to Kill Billions, rinse and repeat, merit making in progress