DSI Joins Forces with CIFS, Office of Atoms for Peace, TISI, and Department of Industrial Works to Inspect the Seized "Red Dust – Steel" at Xin Ke Yuan Steel; The Inventory was confirmed Intact, scientific methods to be used to calculate quantities and collect samples for investigation.

DSI Joins Forces with CIFS, Office of Atoms for Peace, TISI, and Department of Industrial Works to Inspect the Seized "Red Dust – Steel" at Xin Ke Yuan Steel; The Inventory was confirmed Intact, scientific methods to be used to calculate quantities and collect samples for investigation.

On Monday, June 16, 2025, at approximately 10:00 AM, Police Major Worranan Srilum, Director of the Bureau of Consumer Protection Crime and head of the investigation team of the Department of Special Investigation (DSI), led a joint operation with the Office of Atoms for Peace, Department of Industrial Works, Rayong Provincial Industry Office, Central Institute of Forensic Science (CIFS), Thailand Industrial Standards Institute (TISI), and relevant agencies to inspect "red dust – steel" at Xin Ke Yuan Steel Co., Ltd., located in Ban Khai District, Rayong Province.

This inspection followed the seizure and impoundment of materials by the Department of Industrial Works and TISI during a previous site visit. The agencies subsequently requested the support of the DSI in investigating the possession of red dust, which is classified as a Type 3 hazardous substance under the Hazardous Substances Act, B.E. 2535 (1992), with an estimated volume of 60,000 tons within the factory premises, to determine whether the case qualifies as a special case under DSI jurisdiction. Additional concerns raised for investigation included whether the factory had secretly resumed its steel smelting operations after being ordered to cease activities, and whether substandard steel products previously seized by TISI had been illegally sold. The inspection took place over two days, from June 16 to 17, 2025, with company representatives present as observers.

           The findings from the joint inspection by the Office of Atoms for Peace, Department of Industrial Works, Rayong Provincial Industry Office, and TISI representatives were as follows:

1.              The seized “red dust” stored on-site exhibited levels of natural radioactivity within acceptable safety standards.

2.       The steel bars impounded by TISI, totaling 44,325 pieces with an approximate weight of 2,440 tons and an estimated value of 50 million baht, were found to be intact and remained at the designated site.

3.              No evidence was found that the factory had resumed operation or used its machinery for production.

The Central Institute of Forensic Science served as the lead agency responsible for collecting forensic evidence using scientific analysis tools. Samples of red dust were collected from suspected areas, the three sites where materials were seized, and the factory's dust collection system. The team also inspected the actual production area and created a layout map of the machinery. In addition, the quantity of red dust at the three impounded locations was calculated based on forensic science principles to generate a report to be used as evidence by the DSI. A total of 246 samples collected from various locations were handed over to the DSI investigation team for further scientific examination.

Furthermore, on June 17, 2025, at approximately 10:00 AM, Mr. Sunthron Kewsawang, Deputy Director-General of the Department of Industrial Works, and his team conducted an additional site inspection focused on regulatory compliance. The operation concluded around 9:00 PM.          

DSI, through the Bureau of Consumer Protection Crime, will continue to expedite the scientific verification and calculation of red dust quantities produced in comparison to the actual amount held by the factory, in order to determine whether the materials were lawfully possessed.

“Red dust is a by-product of steel manufacturing and is classified as a Type 3 hazardous substance. Normally, steel factories are permitted to retain red dust generated from their own operations, per regulatory guidelines. However, transporting such materials off-site requires prior authorization. If it is found that the red dust stock exceeds the amount generated by the factory itself and the possession is not authorized by the Department of Industrial Works, the stock may account for an illegal possession of hazardous substance. DSI remains committed to uncovering the truth through fair consideration of all facts and evidence, as directed by Police Major Yutthana Praedam, Director-General of the Department of Special Investigation,” said Police Major Worranan Srilum.