Thailand plans to intensify its efforts against unregulated businesses, according to the Industry Minister.
Thailand Cracks Down on Illegal E-Waste Smuggling and Grey Businesses
In a bid to prevent Thailand from becoming a transit point for illegal goods, particularly e-waste, the Industry Ministry has taken active measures. These efforts, part of a broader initiative for economic and environmental sustainability, involve a targeted approach against environmental crimes within the industry sector.
The ministry's recent actions include the arrest of three individuals in August 2025, who were attempting to smuggle electronic waste from a closed Chinese recycling factory in Prachin Buri. This operation, conducted through coordinated efforts with the ministry's special suppression team, the Natural Resources and Environmental Crime Suppression Division, and the Central Investigation Bureau, marked a significant step in the ministry's fight against illegal e-waste smuggling.
To tighten law enforcement, the ministry has been working closely with relevant agencies. As a result, more than 38 illegal factories have been closed across the country, and hazardous e-waste imports have been prevented, with immediate orders to return them to their country of origin. Strict oversight is being used to ensure factories comply with the law, and suspicious cargo containers are being inspected for false declarations.
The ministry's efforts extend beyond the fight against e-waste smuggling. Substandard goods worth more than 1 billion baht have been seized, with prosecutions underway. Over 46,000 companies suspected of being nominee operators have been screened, and encouragement is being given to entrepreneurs to adopt environmentally friendly production methods.
Industry Minister Akanat Promphan has vowed to crack down on grey businesses to prevent Thailand from becoming a transit point for illegal goods. He has raised concerns over the country being used as a transshipment point to evade tariffs and trade barriers, which could damage the economy, tarnish the country's reputation, and risk subjecting Thai exports to punitive tariffs.
In addition, the ministry is collaborating with international agencies to exchange information and prevent Thailand from becoming a hub for dangerous or illegal goods. Proactive operations under the "Shut the Door on Evil" campaign and the "Sud Soi" task force have been intensively inspecting factories and business premises nationwide.
The ministry's decisive enforcement measures to regulate Thailand's industrial sector are aimed at ensuring economic and environmental sustainability. These efforts reflect Thailand's wider sustainability and public health efforts, which include digitized monitoring and enforcement but are not detailed specifically for industrial transit prevention beyond this e-waste example at this time.
- The business sector, especially the industry, is under scrutiny in Thailand due to the government's commitment to curb grey businesses and prevent the country from serving as a transit point for illegal goods.
- The international community is being engaged by the Industry Ministry to exchange information and collaborate in preventing Thailand from becoming a hub for dangerous or illegal goods.
- The ministry's efforts in combating grey businesses are not limited to e-waste smuggling; substandard goods worth over 1 billion baht have been seized and more than 46,000 companies suspected of being nominee operators have been screened.
- The government's crackdown on grey businesses extends beyond law enforcement; encouragement is being given to entrepreneurs to adopt environmentally friendly production methods as part of Thailand's wider sustainability and public health efforts.
