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 heads a committed team focused on tackling the nation’s escalating issue with electronic waste, also known as e-waste. Even with regular checks and operations on these unauthorized facilities—many of which are concealed in remote areas to evade attention—the magnitude of the issue keeps growing.
Thailand is facing the impact of changes in worldwide electronic waste distribution. In the past, nations such as China managed most of the electronic discards from richer economies, notably the United States and those in the European Union. This shifted in 2018 when China enacted a prohibition on importing e-waste, causing exporters to find new destinations in Southeast Asia, with Thailand being one of them.
Thailand implemented its own ban on importing e-waste in 2020. Nonetheless, the results have not been favorable. According to Earth Thailand, a nonprofit focused on environmental protection, the amount of e-waste entering the nation has increased from approximately 3,000 tons annually before China’s restriction to almost 60,000 tons now.
This influx is partly fueled by high turnover rates in electronic devices among Western consumers. Frequent upgrades to smartphones, laptops, and other electronic goods—combined with widespread ownership of large household appliances—generate substantial waste. Although international regulations aim to prevent the export of hazardous waste to developing nations, loopholes remain. For example, shipments are often misdeclared as used electronics meant for resale, only to be dismantled and smelted 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 regarded as a dumping ground, Promphan observes. “We are dealing with an international waste management practice that provides no benefit to our country and leads to considerable damage.”
The negative impact extends to everyday citizens like Seng Wongsena, a 57-year-old farmer in eastern Thailand. He claims that polluted runoff from a nearby smelting facility has hurt his cassava yield, and the stench of burning waste disrupts his sleep. Local activists maintain the smelter is operating illegally and are pressing authorities to intervene.
On an international level, the consequences are alarming. According to the United Nations, more than 60 million tonnes of electronic waste are created worldwide annually—twice the amount documented 15 years prior. Projections indicate that this number could increase by more than 30% before the decade concludes.
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 legislative framework, aiming to strengthen local enforcement and reduce illegal activities related to e-waste handling. Promphan is optimistic about its future implementation.
“I am optimistic that we will approve this new legislation shortly—perhaps before this year concludes or at the start of the next,” he mentions. “We require all-encompassing measures to eradicate this unlawful sector and safeguard our citizens 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.
