NACC Samut Songkhram joins forces with local agencies to inspect Khlong Wat Pradu wastewater sources
The Office of the National Anti-Corruption Commission’s Samut Songkhram Provincial Office (NACC Samut Songkhram Office), in collaboration with agencies in the province, conducted a field observation of the investigation of sources of wastewater in Khlong Wat Pradu.
On April 27, 2026, Ms. Kanjana Khamsuwan, Director of the NACC Samut Songkhram Office, assigned anti-corruption officers to join forces with relevant government agencies to observe the work of the working group investigating wastewater sources discharged into Khlong Wat Pradu, such as industrial factories, agricultural areas, coconut processing plants, etc.
Other government agencies participating in this field visit included the Samut Songkhram Provincial Local Administration Promotion Office, the Samut Songkhram Provincial Public Health Office, the Samut Songkhram Provincial Industry Office, the Samut Songkhram Provincial Livestock Office, the Samut Songkhram Provincial Agriculture Office, the Amphawa District Administration Office, and local administrative organisations in the responsible area.
The field visit focused on inspecting a private company in Yi San Subdistrict, Amphawa District, that operates a business related to sorting and recycling plastics. The group found that the company was not discharging wastewater into rivers or canals, because its plastic separation process uses tap water to separate plastic from other contaminants, and the water is then released into the company’s ponds to allow sediment to settle and decompose naturally.
Later, another inspection was conducted at a coconut processing plant in Wat Pradu Subdistrict, which revealed that this coconut processing plant manages wastewater from washing coconut meat by constructing ponds to separate fat and coconut meat scraps from the wastewater. Aeration is added to the ponds before releasing the water into the public canal.
However, the officers found that the permit for operating a business that is hazardous to health had expired its permit for over a year. Therefore, the plant owner was advised to apply for a permit renewal with the local administrative organisation in the area as soon as possible.
An examination of the local administrative organisation’s documents revealed that the agency had already sent letters to various coconut processing plants in the area, but some of them had not yet applied for permit renewal. Therefore, emphasis was placed on urging local administrative organisations to expedite their actions in accordance with their duties and powers.
The NACC does not have direct duties and powers to investigate into illegal wastewater discharge into rivers and canals. Its responsibilities, however, include monitoring the performance of government officials to ensure they act in accordance with their duties and powers and to enforce the law effectively, in line with the NACC’s policy of promoting the enforcement of laws related to natural resources, the environment, and disasters.
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