Ice Plant Shut Down Over Ammonia Leak in Suphan Buri
An ice plant in Suphan Buri was shut down after an ammonia leak on July 8 affected nearby schools, though no serious injuries were reported among students who experienced minor respiratory irritation.
Industrial Minister Warawuth Silpagarcha and Suphanburi Provincial Industrial Officer Wichyaporn Ploytuptim inspected the ice manufacturing plant operated by Buanvarn 2019 Limited Company in Dem Bang Nang Buach District after an ammonia leak occurred on July 8, 2025. The inspection revealed that multiple schools within a 200-meter to 1-kilometer radius were affected by the incident. However, provincial health officials and hospital administrators reported no serious injuries, though some students experienced respiratory irritation and nasal irritation that will be treated accordingly.
"We consider ourselves fortunate that there were no serious injuries," Warawuth said. "We have instructed the factory to conduct thorough inspections of all areas, and they have cooperated well. The factory has been ordered to temporarily suspend operations under the Factory Act, B.E. 2535. Once repairs are completed and the Department of Industrial Works certifies that safety standards are met, the factory will be permitted to resume operations."
Warawuth urged all factories nationwide to remain vigilant as temperatures rise, paying special attention to joint points, production lines, electrical connections, and transformers that could become accident hazards. He also appealed to local administrators to report any suspicious or unlicensed factories operating in their areas to the Ministry of Industry hotline 1564 (available 24 hours) or to their provincial industrial offices. The ministry will take strict legal action against any unlicensed or illegal operations. "Local authorities know best whether facilities in their areas have obtained proper permits," he stated. "If permits are legitimate, we will conduct safety inspections using departmental standards. If not, we will enforce the law strictly to ensure industry genuinely benefits the public."
