The authorities of Thailand shut down the Prinx Chengshan plant
The Industrial Estate Authority of Thailand (IEAT) has ordered the closure of a Chinese tire factory Prinx Chengshan due to the production of uncertified products and repeated violations of industrial waste disposal rules, reports The Nation.
It is noted that the factory, located in Chonburi Province, produced tires for passenger and commercial vehicles without passing the necessary certification according to Thai industrial standards (TIS). In addition, tires with erased production dates and brand logos on the sidewalls were found.
Earlier, it was reported that the Ministry of Industry of Thailand is conducting an investigation against an unnamed Chinese manufacturer that illegally imported tires into the country that do not meet quality and safety standards, changed their markings, and supplied them to the market, including abroad. Whether this manufacturer is Prinx Chengshan is not specified.
The IEAT notes that the agency's employees found a large number of tires without the mandatory TIS marking and add that "the sale of uncertified tires to consumers can pose a serious threat to public safety". In addition, such practices, as indicated in the IEAT, can undermine confidence in the Thai tire industry, affect Thailand's economic reputation, and damage the country's investment image.
In 2024, it was also established that Prinx Chengshan illegally removed more than 65 tons of hazardous industrial waste from the enterprise without obtaining proper permission, which the IEAT qualified as a serious offense that poses a threat to both people and the environment.
A repeated inspection conducted on June 25, 2025, revealed that the company continued to transport hazardous waste in violation of approved procedures, which, according to the agency, testifies to an obviously intentional practice of repeated violation of the law.
Other violations were also found, such as the unauthorized installation of equipment, falsification of air quality reports without proper emission assessment, as well as the lack of qualified personnel trained to work with gases. In addition, the plant did not have a certified engineer who should control the boiler system, which can create high safety risks.
Following the inspections, the IEAT came to the conclusion that "the company's activities pose a direct danger to both employees and residents of nearby areas, as well as cause serious harm to the environment", and "considering the systematic non-compliance with approved requirements and blatant disregard for official orders" the management decided to order the immediate closure of the plant.
Meanwhile, the Department of Industrial Works of Thailand has revoked the Green Industry certificate previously issued to the company, as well as revoked the license from a private laboratory that provided air quality testing services at the enterprise.
Prinx Chengshan was founded in 1976, and the factory in Thailand was launched in 2020.
Photo: The Nation