In the bustling heart of Bangkok, Bangkok’s Deputy Governor, Jakapun Phiwngam, offered a keen insight this Wednesday into the relentless odour and smoke escapades that have turned the On Nut Waste Disposal Centre into a site of contention. This prevailing aromatic assault has gotten city folks raising their eyebrows—and questions—in urban forums, with officials caught in the pungent crossfire trying to sniff out solutions.
The sparks flew when an outspoken Bangkok Councillor from Bang Sue District, Phatraporn Kengrungruengchai, took her concerns to the city council floor. Her focus? The welfare of over 7,600 residents entangled in a reeking ordeal, with more than 1,900 households feeling the ill effects of a persistent stench that’s far from aromatic.
The root of the funk? Despite the closure of an 800-tonne waste behemoth, its 600-tonne and 1,000-tonne brethren continue to stay in business—and so does that notorious nose-pinching aroma. Not to mention, these sites house composting operations fit enough to boast their own signature fragrances.
Determined to dampen the odour, Jakapun assured that the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) is vigilant. Inspections and improvements are in the offing—a dedicated fight against the olfactory offender. On top of that, a budget proposal for 2026 has been pitched, seeking funds to arm composting plants with odour-busting gadgetry. Yet, Jakapun was candid enough to acknowledge that composting is but one piece of the puzzle. The on-site waste transfer station and sorting plants share culpability in this sniffy saga.
You’d think a balance of power would help—among the five monstrous waste plants on On Nut turf, a few have recalibrated. The 1,000-tonne titan and the 800-tonne MBT landfill station claim an escape hatch from their aromatic albatross. As for the trio’s kin? They’re scampering to get in line with new edicts, having been nudged by the BMA to shape up since July 2022.
Enter stage left: a tangible chink in the waste armour requiring serious flex. The Deputy Governor let out a sigh of exasperation that despite the iron-clad legal and contractual binds, the operators of the rebel 600-tonne and 1,000-tonne cousins remain unswayed. The Department of Environment has yet to unleash the punitive Kraken, even though the contractual leash grants it freedom to bark.
Moreover, directives have been dropped—install enclosed systems, position air treatments, fix odour sensors, raise automatic gates, and tweak CCTV quirks. Alas, two plants have partially embarked on these specified jaunts.
Enter the operators’ next stumble: an absence of operational blueprints submitted to the BMA. Yet, hope lingers on Jakapun’s horizon as sirens are being sent out inviting the companies for tête-à-têtes to cement timelines and, perhaps, friendly nudges.
With heart-on-sleeve candour, Jakapun conceded that the supervisory committee orchestrated by the Department of Environment hasn’t quite lived up to its calling. Nevertheless, he laid the gauntlet down—the BMA pledges unflinching oversight as the regulatory guardian.
Beyond the aromatic affairs, the dark haze of black smoke wafting from infectious waste disposal units peppers a parallel chapter. Several facilities are in limbo, their operations in forced pause because of their emission reticence. The remaining operatives are tangoing to meet smoke-standard waltzes. Reinforcing this air-cleansing crusade, a Ministry of Industry directive demands pollution monitoring systems be perched at factory chimneys by 31st December 2025. And the BMA? They’re sharpening their tools, budgets in hand and plans on the table, bracing for the mandate deadline.
With intricate challenges and elaborate fixes at play, Bangkok’s urban tapestry is in the throes of a transformative narrative—one tinged with aspirations of a fresh, untainted breeze cutting through its historic cityscape.
It’s about time someone addressed this issue. The smell is unbearable and it’s affecting our quality of life!
I agree, but how long has this been a problem? Why hasn’t anything been truly fixed yet?
Probably because these corporations have too much power and aren’t held accountable. It’s all about money over people.
Exactly! We need stricter regulations and more transparency in these operations.
It’s not just about the smell. It’s about the environment too. Air pollution is a silent killer.
You’re right. We need to think about future generations and what kind of world we’re leaving behind.
This article highlights the incompetence of the city officials. Why did it take them so long to even propose these solutions?
The real issue is our waste production. We need to reduce and recycle instead of relying on these giant disposal sites.
But that’s easier said than done. Changing people’s habits takes time and education.
That’s why it’s important to start now! Schools should teach sustainable practices from a young age.
It’s not just about recycling. We need to innovate and find eco-friendly alternatives for waste management.
I agree. Technology can help us find new solutions, but it requires investment and political will.
It’s astonishing how the city’s management keeps missing deadlines. If we don’t enforce regulations, nothing will change.
Why aren’t there more community involvement initiatives? The people living there suffer the most!
Because they don’t want us to know how bad it really is. Keeping us in the dark helps them avoid accountability.
It’s infuriating. We deserve to know what’s happening and to have a say in it.
While the article points out issues, I’m hopeful that these new measures will eventually improve the situation. It’s a step forward.
The Deputy Governor’s promises are just empty words unless we see real changes soon.
It’s easy to be cynical, but change takes time. Let’s hope they keep their word.
People need to chill. Bad smells are just part of living in a big city!
It’s not just a simple ‘bad smell’, it affects our health. We can’t ignore this.
Exactly, Randy. It’s not just about comfort – it’s about safety and well-being.
I’m glad the article mentioned the smoke issue. Air quality is declining everywhere, not just in Bangkok.