A large quantity of recycling waste from a sorting plant flooded a housing estate in the Bo Win area of Si Racha district in Chon Buri on Saturday after a wall collapsed under continuous heavy rain.
The incident occurred at Boonraksa Ville 2 in the late morning during a torrential downpour.
Arthit Inprasit, the president of the homeowners’ association, said the land behind the estate was privately owned and leased long‑term to foreign operators running a recycling business for old refrigerators and freezers.
Valuable parts were removed, leaving massive piles of foam waste.
When heavy rain hit, the foam was swept into a large mass that pressed against the rear wall of the estate, causing it to collapse and allowing floodwater and debris to surge into the residential area.
Officials from Bo Win municipality and Si Racha district were rushing to clear the foam waste after opening up drainage channels to ease flooding. They were also preparing to survey and assess the damage.
Local media reported that residents are calling on authorities to investigate the recycling operation, determine whether proper waste management measures are in place and ensure compliance with the law.
