A veritable fleet of trucks loaded with cadmium waste made its way out of bustling Bangkok, destined for a sprawling warehouse managed by Bound and Beyond Plc in Tak province’s Muang district in late April. This ominous procession was emblematic of a much larger issue brought to light by the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration.
According to recent disclosures by the Ministry of Industry, a whopping 81% of mishandled hazardous cadmium waste—amounting to nearly 13,000 tonnes—has been successfully returned to its original location in Tak province. The remaining toxic remnants, scattered across Samut Sakhon and Chon Buri provinces, are currently biding their time, awaiting transport back to the safer confines of Tak.
As reported on the ministry’s website, about 10,507 tonnes of this perilous material have made their journey back to Bound and Beyond Plc in Tak. This accounts for a significant portion—81% of the 12,948 tonnes—that were scandalously sold from the landfill in Muang district the previous year. These tailings weren’t just from one place; they hailed from J&B Metal, contributing 6,200 tonnes, and Cin Hong Cheng Inter Tech with another 1,013 tonnes from Muang district of Samut Sakhon. LLT Metal from Bang Sue district in Bangkok also joined the mishmash with 142 tonnes.
Still, there’s that pesky 19% waiting to be whisked away from a factory in tambon Klong Kiew of Ban Bung district in Chon Buri and from a warehouse in Krathum Baen district of Samut Sakhon. The clock is ticking, but the gears are grinding slowly.
Nattapol Rangsitpol, the permanent secretary for industry, shed some light on this logistical labyrinth on Wednesday. He emphasized that every day, a fleet of 10 to 13 container trucks embarks on this hazardous journey, each convoy flanked by vigilant police vehicles ensuring that the waste reaches its destination without a hitch.
This saga first came to public attention in early April when these tailings were unexpectedly found in Samut Sakhon, sparking serious health concerns. This dangerous waste belonged in Tak’s specially prepared landfill, not lurking around in populous areas.
The controversy stems from Bound and Beyond’s dubious transaction with J&B Metal. The agreement was straightforward: J&B Metal was to dispose of the tailings, but no resale was part of the deal. However, the owner of J&B Metal, perhaps caught in financial quicksand, admitted to intending to resell the waste, exacerbating the already perilous situation.
As the countdown continues, the cadmium waste is set to be secured in a storage site owned by Bound and Beyond in Tak, promising to be properly landfilled by September 30. Bound and Beyond, listed on the Stock Exchange of Thailand, was formerly known as Padaeng Industry Plc. The company’s past is steeped in zinc-mining operations in Tak until they closed the chapter in 2016 and pivoted towards the hotel industry.
Cadmium, a versatile yet menacing element, finds its way into rechargeable batteries, pigments, metal coatings, and plastics. Despite its utility, cadmium and its compounds are notoriously toxic, causing severe damage to human tissues and organs upon entering the food chain. This alarming risk is why its disposal is stridently regulated, ensuring the preservation of public health and safety.
As the situation unfolds, the crucial question remains whether all the hazardous cadmium waste will be securely relocated and disposed of in a manner befitting its dangerous nature. The eyes of many concerned citizens and regulatory bodies continue to watch closely, awaiting the next chapter in this critical environmental narrative.
This is ridiculous! How could they mess up the disposal of such hazardous material?
I know, right? Cadmium is extremely toxic. This is a major public health risk!
It’s not just a risk; it’s a complete failure of regulatory oversight. Such negligence is scandalous.
And let’s not forget about the environmental damage! This could have long-lasting effects on the ecosystem.
Absolutely! This isn’t just about human health; entire ecosystems are at risk here.
Bound and Beyond needs to face serious legal repercussions for this.
I agree, but will they? These big companies always seem to get away with a slap on the wrist.
Sure, but the fines they get are often just a fraction of their profits. Hardly a real punishment.
The problem lies within the legal framework and enforcement. Stricter laws and robust regulatory bodies are key.
This is why we need stronger environmental regulations and watchdogs to oversee waste disposal.
Yeah, but who’s going to pay for all that? More regulations equal more taxes.
This whole situation is a disaster. Who’s looking out for the people in those provinces?
Apparently no one. It’s like these companies have free reign to do whatever they want.
And that’s exactly why public pressure is so important. We need to hold them accountable!
It’s unbelievable that such toxic material was just left around in populous areas. What were they thinking?
They were probably thinking about cutting costs. Safety and health often take a backseat.
What will happen to the areas that were contaminated? Will they be cleaned up?
That’s a good question. Clean-up efforts will be expensive and time-consuming.
And who’s going to pay for it? The people living there? It seems so unfair.
I think this is a classic case of greed over safety. Bound and Beyond ignored what’s right for a quick buck.
What about the workers who had to handle this waste? Were they given proper protective gear?
I doubt it. Companies like these rarely care about their workers’ safety.
Cadmium is no joke. Did you know it’s ranked one of the top toxic substances in commercial use?
True. It’s used in so many products, but its toxic properties are often overlooked.
I’m outraged! This makes me lose faith in corporate responsibility entirely.
Sometimes I wonder if these companies ever think about the long-term impacts of their actions.
And what about the laws? Aren’t there regulations that they had to follow?
There are, but enforcement seems pretty lax. It’s a systemic issue.
This isn’t just a local issue. It’s a broader problem of how we deal with toxic waste across the globe.
Exactly. If standards aren’t enforced, this could happen anywhere.
Government and private sectors should work together to prevent this from happening again.
Agree, but transparency and accountability should be improved first.
That’s true. Without transparency, the public will always be in the dark.
I live near the contaminated area and I’m terrified for my family’s health.
How could any company be so careless? Are there any laws to ensure this doesn’t happen again?
There are laws, but they’re often poorly enforced. That’s the real problem.
What’s the point of having regulations if they can’t be enforced properly?
Exactly, it’s like having no regulations at all. Proper enforcement is the key.
Such a distressing situation. My heart goes out to everyone affected.