Prachin Buri Officials Address Water Pollution Concerns
Local authorities in Prachin Buri have declared aquatic life safe for consumption following public outcry over foul-smelling, dark water near the Bo Thong Industrial Estate.
On October 21, 2026, officials in Prachin Buri province addressed growing public concern regarding water quality in the Bo Thong sub-district of Kabin Buri. Residents had raised alarms on social media after observing dark, foul-smelling water flowing from the vicinity of the Bo Thong Industrial Estate into public water sources, including the Nong Khon reservoir, which serves as a raw water source for local tap water.
This issue has been a recurring point of contention since early 2026, with reports of mass fish deaths and ongoing allegations of illegal wastewater discharge. During periods of heavy rain or flooding, this contaminated water has reportedly damaged local agricultural land, killing crops and grass.
In response to the public outcry, the Deputy Governor of Prachin Buri released laboratory test results for heavy metals in aquatic life, asserting that the fish are safe for consumption. However, community leaders, including Sunthorn Komkai of the 'Strong Prachin' group, remain unsatisfied. They are calling for stricter enforcement, specifically requesting that authorities invoke Section 39, Paragraph 3 of the Factory Act to permanently close offending facilities, rather than issuing temporary suspension orders.
For residents and visitors, the situation highlights ongoing environmental monitoring efforts in the region. While officials have cleared the aquatic life for consumption, the long-term impact on the local ecosystem and the effectiveness of the proposed legal actions against industrial operators remain to be confirmed.
