Thai officials uncover suspected e-waste containers in crackdown on illegal electronic waste imports

Officials uncovered suspected e-waste containers in a crackdown on illegal electronic waste imports in Thailand.

Suchart Chomklin, the country's Natural Resources and Environment Minister, led relevant agencies in inspecting containers suspected of violating the Basel Convention at the Laem Chabang Port in Chonburi, on September 14.

The international agreement regulates the cross-border movement of hazardous and other waste.

Footage shows authorities opening and inspecting nine containers, which were later found to contain undeclared electronic waste and hazardous materials.

All nine units reportedly had violations, with three of them belonging to the same company.

Phantong Loykulnanta, director-general of the Customs Department, said that the inspection followed government policy to suppress the smuggling of illegal electronic waste and hazardous materials into Thailand, in a bid to clear the country's 'waste bin' image.

He said: ‘The Customs Department is ready to support the Department of Special Investigation and all relevant agencies by providing import data, customs documentation and container inspection support.

‘Addressing the issue of electronic waste and hazardous waste cannot be achieved by any single agency alone, but requires the serious integration of data, expertise and joint law enforcement.

‘Furthermore, the Customs Department will move forward with proactive missions to continuously screen and inspect imported goods to intercept electronic waste and hazardous waste, whilst supporting the data and operations of relevant agencies to ensure Thailand does not become a destination for foreign waste and hazardous materials.'

The search followed a request from the Department of Special Investigation (DSI) to freeze 50 containers believed to contain illegal e-waste shipments on August 25.

The Customs Department said 19 containers were linked to violations detected by the Laem Chabang Port Customs Office. Another 14 containers had no record of entering Thailand, while 17 had entry records, including one that had already been inspected and cleared.

Officials said that in the 2026 fiscal year, from October 2025 to August 2026, authorities recorded 187 cases involving 9.67 million kilogrammes (9,670 tonnes) of goods worth more than 234.4 million baht.

The seizures included 2.7 million kilogrammes (2,700 tonnes) of electronic waste, 6.6 million kilogrammes (6,600 tonnes) of hazardous materials and 300,000 kilogrammes (300 tonnes) of plastic scrap.