BANGKOK — The manager of the wastewater treatment pond at a food processing plant turned himself in to police Monday evening and was charged with negligence following the death of five people on the Bang Na district premises.
After being questioned for several hours by police, Preecha Tamporn; head of the wastewater treatment pond inside the Charoen Pokphand Foods, or CPF, plant; was charged with negligence resulting in death. If convicted, he faces a maximum penalty of up to 10 years in jail and a 200,000 baht fine.
The 51-year-old was released on bail, city police chief Lt. Gen. Sanit Mahathavorn said.
According to Sanit, witnesses and the plant’s employees will be further questioned about the Friday incident, in which five people – including a veterinary studies intern from a prominent university and four plant employees – suffocated to death after falling into a wastewater treatment pond.
The Industrial Works Department ordered the plant’s wastewater system shut for 30 days on Monday afternoon until it undergoes improvements and meets required safety standards.
CPF, the company to which the plant belongs, is a subsidiary of multinational conglomerate CP Group.
Related stories:
CPF Plant’s Wastewater Pond Ordered Shut After 5 Deaths
Chula Intern, 4 Others Die at CP Plant in Bangkok
