Latest news with #TheerajAthanavanich
The Star
16-05-2025
- The Star
US e-waste intercepted at Bangkok port
Thai officials said they have seized 238 tonnes of illegally imported electronic waste from the United States at the port of Bangkok, one of the biggest lots they've found this year. The waste, which came in 10 large containers, was declared as mixed metal scrap but turned out to be circuit boards mixed in a huge pile of metal scrap, said Theeraj Athanavanich, director-general of the Customs Department. It was found in a random inspection on Tuesday. A UN report last year said electronic waste is piling up worldwide. Some 62 million tonnes of electronic waste was generated in 2022 and that figure is on track to reach 82 million tonnes by 2030. It added that only 22% of the waste was properly collected and recycled in 2022, and the quantity is expected to fall to 20% by the end of the decade due to higher consumption, limited repair options, shorter product life cycles and inadequate management infrastructure. Theeraj said Thai authorities are looking to press charges including for falsely declaring imported goods, illegally importing electronic waste and planning to return the waste to its country of origin. 'It's important that we take action on this kind of goods,' he said. 'There are environmental impacts that are dangerous to the people, especially communities around factories that might import these things for processing, then recycling.' Thailand passed a ban on the import of a range of e-waste products in 2020. The Cabinet in February approved an expanded list of the banned waste. Sunthron Kewsawang, deputy director-general of the Department of Industrial Works, said officials suspected two factories in Samut Sakhon province are involved in importing the waste. — AP
Nahar Net
15-05-2025
- Business
- Nahar Net
Thai officials seize over 200 tons of electronic waste illegally imported from the US
Thai officials said Wednesday they seized 238 tons of illegally imported electronic waste from the United States at the port of Bangkok, one of the biggest lots they've found this year. The waste, which came in 10 large containers, was declared as mixed metal scrap but turned out to be circuit boards mixed in a huge pile of metal scrap, said Theeraj Athanavanich, director-general of the Customs Department. It was found Tuesday in a random inspection. A U.N. report last year said electronic waste is piling up worldwide. Some 62 million tons of electronic waste was generated in 2022 and that figure is on track to reach 82 million tons by 2030, the report said. It said only 22% of the waste was properly collected and recycled in 2022 and that quantity is expected to fall to 20% by the end of the decade due to higher consumption, limited repair options, shorter product life cycles, and inadequate management infrastructure. Theeraj said Thai authorities are looking to press charges including falsely declaring imported goods, illegally importing electronic waste and planning to return the waste to its country of origin. "It's important that we take action on this kind of goods," he said. "There are environmental impacts that are dangerous to the people, especially communities around factories that might import these things for processing, then recycling." Electronic waste creates huge health hazards. Many components are laden with lead and mercury, cadmium and other toxins. Recyclers are after gold, silver, palladium and copper, mainly from printed circuit boards, but lax controls mean that facilities often burn plastics to release encased copper and use unsafe methods to extract precious metals. Thailand passed a ban on the import of a range of electronic waste products in 2020. The Cabinet in February approved an expanded list of the banned waste. Sunthron Kewsawang, deputy director-general of the Department of Industrial Works, said officials suspected at least two factories in Samut Sakhon province, which borders Bangkok, are involved in importing the waste. In January, the Customs Department said it seized 256 tons of illegally imported electronic waste from Japan and Hong Kong at a port in eastern Thailand.
National Observer
15-05-2025
- National Observer
Thai officials seize more than 200 tons of electronic waste illegally imported from the US
Thai officials said Wednesday they seized 238 tons of illegally imported electronic waste from the United States at the port of Bangkok, one of the biggest lots they've found this year. The waste, which came in 10 large containers, was declared as mixed metal scrap but turned out to be circuit boards mixed in a huge pile of metal scrap, said Theeraj Athanavanich, director-general of the Customs Department. It was found Tuesday in a random inspection. A U.N. report last year said electronic waste is piling up worldwide. Some 62 million tons of electronic waste was generated in 2022 and that figure is on track to reach 82 million tons by 2030, the report said. It said only 22% of the waste was properly collected and recycled in 2022 and that quantity is expected to fall to 20% by the end of the decade due to higher consumption, limited repair options, shorter product life cycles, and inadequate management infrastructure. Theeraj said Thai authorities are looking to press charges including falsely declaring imported goods, illegally importing electronic waste and planning to return the waste to its country of origin. 'It's important that we take action on this kind of goods,' he said. 'There are environmental impacts that are dangerous to the people, especially communities around factories that might import these things for processing, then recycling.' Electronic waste creates huge health hazards. Many components are laden with lead and mercury, cadmium and other toxins. Recyclers are after gold, silver, palladium and copper, mainly from printed circuit boards, but lax controls mean that facilities often burn plastics to release encased copper and use unsafe methods to extract precious metals. Thailand passed a ban on the import of a range of electronic waste products in 2020. The Cabinet in February approved an expanded list of the banned waste. Sunthron Kewsawang, deputy director-general of the Department of Industrial Works, said officials suspected at least two factories in Samut Sakhon province, which borders Bangkok, are involved in importing the waste.
See - Sada Elbalad
15-05-2025
- Politics
- See - Sada Elbalad
Thailand Seizes 238 Tons of Illegal E-Waste from US
Israa Farhan Thai authorities have intercepted and seized 238 tons of illegally imported electronic waste from the United States at Bangkok Port, marking one of the largest e-waste confiscations of the year. Officials have announced plans to return the shipment to its country of origin. According to Theeraj Athanavanich, Director-General of the Customs Department, the waste was falsely declared as mixed metal scrap but was found to contain massive quantities of electronic circuit boards mixed with metal debris. The discovery was made during a random inspection on Tuesday across ten large shipping containers. The incident comes amid growing global concern over the rising volume of e-waste. A United Nations report released last year revealed that nearly 62 million tones of electronic waste were generated worldwide in 2022, a figure expected to soar to 82 million tones by 2030. Worryingly, only 22% of this waste was properly collected and recycled in 2022, and that rate is projected to decline further to 20% by the end of the decade. The drop is attributed to rising consumer demand, limited repair options, shorter product lifespans, and poor waste management infrastructure. Theeraj stated that the Thai government intends to press charges related to false customs declarations and the illegal import of hazardous materials. Authorities are working to ensure the swift repatriation of the containers. He emphasized the urgency of addressing such violations, noting the serious environmental and health risks posed to communities, especially those living near facilities that might process or recycle this type of waste. read more Gold prices rise, 21 Karat at EGP 3685 NATO's Role in Israeli-Palestinian Conflict US Expresses 'Strong Opposition' to New Turkish Military Operation in Syria Shoukry Meets Director-General of FAO Lavrov: confrontation bet. nuclear powers must be avoided News Iran Summons French Ambassador over Foreign Minister Remarks News Aboul Gheit Condemns Israeli Escalation in West Bank News Greek PM: Athens Plays Key Role in Improving Energy Security in Region News One Person Injured in Explosion at Ukrainian Embassy in Madrid News Egypt confirms denial of airspace access to US B-52 bombers Lifestyle Pistachio and Raspberry Cheesecake Domes Recipe News Ayat Khaddoura's Final Video Captures Bombardment of Beit Lahia News Australia Fines Telegram $600,000 Over Terrorism, Child Abuse Content Arts & Culture Nicole Kidman and Keith Urban's $4.7M LA Home Burglarized Sports Former Al Zamalek Player Ibrahim Shika Passes away after Long Battle with Cancer Sports Neymar Announced for Brazil's Preliminary List for 2026 FIFA World Cup Qualifiers News Prime Minister Moustafa Madbouly Inaugurates Two Indian Companies Arts & Culture New Archaeological Discovery from 26th Dynasty Uncovered in Karnak Temple Business Fear & Greed Index Plummets to Lowest Level Ever Recorded amid Global Trade War
The Star
15-05-2025
- The Star
Thai officials seize over 200 tonnes of electronic waste illegally imported from the US
The waste, which came in 10 large containers, was declared as mixed metal scrap but turned out to be circuit boards mixed in a huge pile of metal scrap. - The Nation/ANN BANGKOK: Thai officials said Wednesday (May 14) they seized 238 tonnes of illegally imported electronic waste from the United States at the port of Bangkok, one of the biggest lots they've found this year. The waste, which came in 10 large containers, was declared as mixed metal scrap but turned out to be circuit boards mixed in a huge pile of metal scrap, said Theeraj Athanavanich, director-general of the Customs Department. It was found Tuesday in a random inspection. A UN report last year said electronic waste is piling up worldwide. Some 62 million tonnes of electronic waste was generated in 2022 and that figure is on track to reach 82 million tonnes by 2030, the report said. It said only 22% of the waste was properly collected and recycled in 2022 and that quantity is expected to fall to 20% by the end of the decade due to higher consumption, limited repair options, shorter product life cycles, and inadequate management infrastructure. Theeraj said Thai authorities are looking to press charges including falsely declaring imported goods, illegally importing electronic waste and planning to return the waste to its country of origin. "It's important that we take action on this kind of goods,' he said. "There are environmental impacts that are dangerous to the people, especially communities around factories that might import these things for processing, then recycling.' Electronic waste creates huge health hazards. Many components are laden with lead and mercury, cadmium and other toxins. Recyclers are after gold, silver, palladium and copper, mainly from printed circuit boards, but lax controls mean that facilities often burn plastics to release encased copper and use unsafe methods to extract precious metals. Thailand passed a ban on the import of a range of electronic waste products in 2020. The Cabinet in February approved an expanded list of the banned waste. Sunthron Kewsawang, deputy director-general of the Department of Industrial Works, said officials suspected at least two factories in Samut Sakhon province, which borders Bangkok, are involved in importing the waste. In January, the Customs Department said it seized 256 tonnes of illegally imported electronic waste from Japan and Hong Kong at a port in eastern Thailand. - AP
