Residents of Prachinburi Demand Factory Closure After Chemical Spill Damages Crops and Water Sources

Key summary

On October 26, 2026, residents in Si Mueh Sot district, Prachinburi province, gathered at Wat Nong Sakae to sign a petition demanding the closure of an industrial factory following a chemical spill. The incident occurred after floodwaters from the factory area overflowed into agricultural land and public water sources, leaving behind black sludge and rainbow-colored oil slicks with a strong odor. Approximately 500 residents, led by Village Headwoman Parnee Mechai of Moo 8, Koepib sub-district, delivered the petition to the district administrator, Chuchat Pipatsartta, accompanied by samples of contaminated water collected from six locations using carts and motorcycles. The district administrator accepted the documents and promised to forward them to the provincial governor. Drone surveys conducted by the Prachin Khemkheng group, led by Sunthorn Komkai, indicated that the polluted water had spread from Prachinburi to Bang Tan sub-district in Ban Srat district and was moving toward Chachoengsao province. The flood disaster affected seven districts, 65 sub-districts, and 691 villages, impacting 59,727 households. As of October 26, 2026, there were 26 fatalities (21 from drowning, 5 from electric shock), with over 127,000 rai of agricultural land and 460,000 livestock affected. While most areas are returning to normal, Ban Srat district still faces high water levels. Earlier public gatherings featured poet Sujit Wongthet speaking on the historical significance of Prachinburi as a UNESCO World Heritage site candidate.