The Defence Ministry has agreed to allow toxic waste management and mining operations on its land to circumvent community opposition, says Industry Minister Chakramon Phasukvanich.
He said that after a few meetings, defence officials agreed to the idea.
Mr Chakramon expects the Defence Ministry's Defence Industry Department and the Industry Ministry to sign a memorandum of understanding (MoU) this month for an industrial estate for toxic waste management in military areas.
No less than 10,000 rai should be set aside for the project to handle toxic waste for at least 20 years, he said.
The next step lies with the Industrial Estate Authority of Thailand, which will conduct a feasibility study.
The military has plenty of vacant land suitable for hazardous waste to be processed.
Another MoU will be signed between the Primary Industries and Mines Department and the Defence Industry Department to govern natural resources found in military areas.
"At present there are many military sites that have discovered natural resources that will benefit the country without community opposition, as those areas are not residential," Mr Chakramon said.
A previous MoU between the two ministries dealt with industrial estates for national defence to improve security in the areas of terrorism and natural disasters.
Pasu Loharjun, deputy director-general of the Industrial Works Department, said industrial estates for toxic waste management would be set up in the western and eastern parts of Thailand near major industrial zones.
The government has estimated an investment budget for toxic waste handling of 10-15 billion baht per project on land spanning 10,000 rai each.
Half the total area will serve as a buffer zone to prevent leaks to surrounding areas.
The Industry Ministry also plans to clean up water resources near industrial areas as part of a campaign to improve wastewater treatment at factories.