In an expansive warehouse in eastern Thailand, near a major highway, government inspector Thitipas Choddaechachainun meticulously examines piles of discarded electronics—circuit boards, scrap metal, and aging computer accessories. Each week, she and her team from the Thai Ministry of Industry investigate unauthorized facilities handling electronic waste, collecting samples for laboratory testing and regulatory enforcement.
Choddaechachainun leads a dedicated team that is concentrated on addressing the country’s rising problem with electronic waste, commonly referred to as e-waste. Despite frequent inspections and actions against these illegal operations—numerous of which are hidden in distant locations to avoid detection—the scale of the problem continues to expand.
Thailand is experiencing the consequences of a shift in global e-waste flows. Historically, countries like China handled the bulk of electronic refuse from wealthier nations, especially the United States and those within the European Union. That changed in 2018, when China instituted a ban on e-waste imports, prompting exporters to seek alternatives across Southeast Asia, including Thailand.
Thailand applied its own prohibition on the importation of e-waste in 2020. However, the outcomes have been anything but positive. As reported by Earth Thailand, a nonprofit dedicated to environmental advocacy, the volume of e-waste brought into the country has surged from about 3,000 tons each year prior to the Chinese restriction to nearly 60,000 tons currently.
The continuous movement is partly a result of the high turnover of electronic gadgets among Western consumers. Regular updates of smartphones, laptops, and other electronic items—alongside the widespread ownership of major household appliances—create a significant amount of waste. Even though there are international regulations aimed at preventing the export of hazardous waste to developing countries, legal loopholes still exist. For instance, shipments are often incorrectly labeled as used electronics meant for resale, only to be dismantled and melted down upon arrival.
The recycling process itself poses significant environmental risks. Once on Thai soil, the e-waste is crushed and smelted to extract valuable raw materials like copper and gold. While profitable, this method of recovery emits dangerous substances such as mercury and lead, and contaminates the air, soil, and water.
Thai authorities are of the opinion that most of the gathered metals are sent to China, resulting in environmental and social impacts.
Thai Industry Minister Akanat Promphan is vocal about the harm these operations cause. He emphasizes that the illegal recycling industry contributes nothing to the national economy and instead damages local ecosystems and communities. His ministry has launched a more aggressive campaign to shut down unauthorized operations and expel foreign-owned plants involved in illegal processing.
Thailand is being treated as a waste deposit site, Promphan notes. «We are contending with a global waste disposal activity that offers no advantage to our nation and causes significant harm.»
The harmful effects reach ordinary people such as Seng Wongsena, a 57-year-old agricultural worker in eastern Thailand. He asserts that contaminated runoff from a nearby smelting plant has negatively impacted his cassava crop, and the odor of burning waste disturbs his rest at night. Community activists argue that the smelting operation lacks proper authorization and are urging government officials to take action.
At an international scale, the results are concerning. The United Nations reports that over 60 million tonnes of electronic waste are generated globally each year—twice the figure recorded 15 years ago. Forecasts suggest this volume could grow by over 30% by the end of the decade.
Despite the alarming increase, only about 20% of global e-waste is recycled through responsible and sustainable channels. The rest ends up in landfills or is processed in unsafe conditions, often in countries with limited regulatory oversight.
Several nations have enacted regulations regarding extended producer responsibility. These regulations hold producers accountable for the disposal of their goods once they reach the end of their life span. Companies such as Apple, Samsung, and Dell are being urged to establish methods for reclaiming and recycling their merchandise.
Thailand is considering a similar legal framework, aiming to strengthen local regulation and reduce illegal activities linked to electronic waste management. Promphan is optimistic about its future implementation.
«I’m hopeful that we will enact this legislation soon—potentially before this year ends or at the beginning of the next,» he states. «We need comprehensive actions to eliminate this illegal industry and protect our people and the environment.»
As Thailand advances with legislative changes and strengthens oversight, these efforts symbolize a minor part of a broader global challenge. Handling electronic waste requires international cooperation, well-defined supply chains, and collaboration between users and manufacturers. Without significant change, the environmental repercussions of our technology-driven era could outweigh its benefits.
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