First-time minister Akanat Prompan is already making his mark at the industry ministry.
On his first day in office, he reportedly announced "industrial reform". The lofty goal focuses on three points of action. First, tackling industrial waste and polluting factories; second, raising the production capacity of local manufacturers, and third, supporting Thai industry to produce advanced and environmentally friendly products such as EV cars, semiconductors, bioplastics or even defence products.
It remains to be seen whether the rookie MP -- who seems to be more famous for his role as frontman of the ultra-conservative and pro-military People's Democratic Reform Committee -- can modernise the extractive industrial sector. Can he make factories and related supply chains profitable and sustainable at once?
Yet, his campaign to tackle industrial waste and polluting factories has received media reports. TV Channel 3 news recently aired a series of specials about his campaign to tackle industrial waste and revise laws.
This month alone, two recycling factories have been raided. On Nov 2, T & T Waste Management 2017 in Prachin Buri province was raided, and a Chinese engineer, along with four alien labourers, was arrested.
The factory's proprietors have been charged with running a business storing hazardous waste without a permit.
Last week, the owners of another recycling factory named PC Wood Products in Chachoengsao province were arrested for running a recycling operation without permits -- this factory was ordered to close last year.
What is more interesting is that the industry ministry is rewriting laws to help officials better control industrial waste and factories. The bill in its present form would see polluting criminals earn jail terms. Under current law, polluting factories can face up to a 100,000-baht fine. Needless to say, many cash-rich factories chose to pay fines.
Another plan for the ministry is to form a special fund to finance a cleanup. Many polluted areas and communities have been left in a shoddy state for years. That is because Thai law ordered polluters to pay. In reality, many law-breaking factories chose to close business or go bankrupt instead of paying compensation or clean-up costs. This new fund will provide a legal mechanism for officials to take money collected from penalties -- around 100 million baht annually for pollution clean-up activities. For now, 40% of the fines collected are sent back to the finance ministry and used on other government projects.
This solid environmental mission distinguishes Minister Akanat. Past industry ministers were known for their pro-business stances, and they were all too happy to leave environmental problems to other agencies. Look no further than the previous industry ministers during the Prayut and Srettha governments who focused on helping investors get business permits. Former PM Srettha Thavisin himself has been reported to have ordered officials to speed up issuing permits to recycling factories despite the plethora of pollution reports from these factories.
Hopefully, the new minister can strike a balance between promoting industry and making factories responsible. In the modern world, where importers focus on a clean supply chain, the country needs a new type of minister who can ramp up investment and make the industrial supply chain clean and green.