IEAT halts WHA ESIE 5 land adjustment after rock blast

MGR Online•Economy•5d ago

Reader Briefing

The Industrial Estate Authority of Thailand has suspended land preparation at the WHA Eastern Seaboard 5 project following a rock explosion incident in Rayong.

•The Industrial Estate Authority of Thailand (IEAT) ordered a suspension of land adjustment at WHA ESIE 5 in Ban Khai District, Rayong.
•A rock explosion occurred on August 13, 2026, causing vibrations across four districts in Rayong.
•WHA Industrial Development PLC must provide a factual explanation and a remedy plan to IEAT within 7 working days.
•Impact surveys on August 19, 2026, found one instance of broken window glass at a residence 1.1 km from the site.

Overview

•A rock explosion occurred within the WHA ESIE 5 project area in Ban Khai District, Rayong, on August 13, 2026.
•The Industrial Estate Authority of Thailand ordered the suspension of land adjustment and prohibited entry to the incident area until further notice.
•Inspection by the Industrial Estate Authority of Thailand and related agencies found unnatural straight rock lines, ammonium nitrate bags, and electrical wires at the scene.
•The Industrial Estate Authority of Thailand sent a letter to WHA Industrial Development PLC requesting additional information and a remedy plan within 7 working days.
•A survey conducted on August 19, 2026, identified broken jalousie glass at one house located 1.1 km from the site, which has since been replaced.
•WHA Industrial Development PLC established an emergency coordination center and a complaint channel to assist and provide remedies to nearby residents.
•Sumeth Tangprasert stated that industrial estate development must strictly follow engineering standards, EIA measures, and relevant laws.
•The Industrial Estate Authority of Thailand will review the evidence submitted by WHA Industrial Development PLC to determine legal and contractual actions.

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Key Quotes

Sumeth Tangprasert

"IEAT will use the evidence received within 7 working days for inspection and will then consider taking strict action according to the law and joint operation agreement."

กนอ.จะนำข้อมูลหลักฐานที่ได้รับภายใน 7 วันทำการไปประกอบการตรวจสอบ แล้วจะพิจารณาดำเนินการตามกฎหมายและสัญญาร่วมดำเนินงานอย่างเคร่งครัดต่อไป

Key Entities

Organization

Industrial Estate Authority of Thailand(กนอ.)ℹ️

The government agency that ordered the suspension of land adjustment at WHA ESIE 5 and is overseeing the investigation.

WHA Industrial Development PLC(บริษัท ดับบลิวเอชเอ อินดัสเตรียล ดีเวลลอปเมนท์ จำกัด (มหาชน))

The project developer required by the Industrial Estate Authority of Thailand to submit a remedy plan and factual explanation.

Place

WHA Eastern Seaboard 5 Industrial Estate(นิคมอุตสาหกรรมดับบลิวเอชเอ อีสเทิร์นซีบอร์ด 5)

The industrial project site in Ban Khai District, Rayong, where the rock explosion occurred.

Ban Khai District(อำเภอบ้านค่าย)ℹ️

The district in Rayong province where the WHA ESIE 5 project is located.

Rayong Province(จังหวัดระยอง)ℹ️

The province where the explosion incident took place.

Person

Sumeth Tangprasert(สุเมธ ตั้งประเสริฐ)

The Governor of the Industrial Estate Authority of Thailand.

Policy

EIA Measures(มาตรการ EIA)

The environmental impact assessment standards that the industrial estate development must strictly follow.