Bangkok: Mr. Atthawich Suwannaphakdee, a Member of Parliament from the Ruam Thai Sang Chart Party, has called upon the Ministry of Industry to reassess its decision to permit Xin Ke Yuan Steel Co., Ltd. to continue operations. This appeal comes amid allegations of inadequate inspection of steel quality in smelters and factories operating without refining furnaces, which has resulted in substandard steel production. Atthawich expressed concerns over the use of Induction Furnace (IF) steel in construction and infrastructure projects, questioning the accountability of the Ministry of Industry in ensuring safety standards.
According to Thai News Agency, Atthawich, accompanied by representatives from the Steel Traders Association, highlighted concerns over Xin Ke Yuan's continued production of steel rebar, particularly in light of its use in the construction of the Office of the Auditor General building, which recently collapsed during an earthquake. Despite a prior inspection, the cause of the structural failure remains inconclusive. The decision to allow the factory's reopening has sparked public apprehension regarding steel quality. Atthawich pointed out that previous incidents, such as a fire at the factory, have led to safety enhancements; however, the primary issue lies in meeting quality standards. The company's production of IF steel relies heavily on the quality of scrap metal, raising concerns about the absence of a Ladle Refining Furnace required to ensure quality.
Atthawich emphasized discrepancies in the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) report, which initially indicated the presence of a smelting furnace in the company's permit application. This discrepancy raises questions about the operational approval process. He further questioned the adequacy of safety inspections for employees and involved parties, noting that not all furnaces were inspected. During a transitional period between former Minister of Industry Mr. Ekanat Phromphan and his successor Mr. Thanakorn Wangboonkongchana, 40,000 steel bars were approved through random sampling rather than comprehensive furnace inspection, contravening newly established Ministry criteria.
Atthawich criticized the Ministry's decision to permit Xin Ke Yuan to conduct steel testing outside the Thailand Iron and Steel Institute (TISI), where the original permit testing occurred. He argued that testing should have been conducted at TISI to ensure consistency and transparency, further fueling suspicions regarding the approval process.
In his demands, Atthawich insisted that Xin Ke Yuan must not sell steel until it has a properly functioning furnace. He called for the Ministry of Industry to enforce standards across all Thai steel mills and to prohibit the use of IF steel in high-rise buildings and government infrastructure projects. Atthawich expressed his disappointment over the expedited decision to allow the factory's operation without a functioning furnace, urging a review of the order and an inquiry into the Ministry's decision-making process. He pledged to await a response from the Minister of Industry to address these concerns.