"Chadchart" Speeds Up Odor and Smoke Fix At On Nut Waste Disposal Center to Relieve Nearby Communities

Today (7 May 2026), 1:00 PM at Bangkok City Hall, Mr. Chatchart Sittipunt, Governor of Bangkok, announced the progress in resolving the odor and smoke pollution problem at the On Nut waste disposal center in Prawet District. He stated that the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) has urged all contractors on the project to strictly implement measures to improve the waste management system and control the impact on surrounding communities. This includes upgrading the plants to a closed system, installing odor control systems, and increasing real-time air quality monitoring to improve the quality of life for residents in the area. The On Nut waste disposal center comprises four waste disposal plants: 1. The Community Waste Management Project for Energy Production... The project includes four main waste management facilities: 1. A waste disposal plant with a capacity of at least 800 tons per day; 2. A composting plant with a capacity of 600 tons per day; 3. A composting plant with a capacity of 1,000 tons per day; and 4. A landfill transfer station with a capacity of 1,000 tons per day.

Mr. Chatchart further stated that the community waste management project for energy production, with a capacity of at least 800 tons per day, is a pilot project using Mechanical-Biological Treatment (MBT) technology to generate electricity and RDF fuel. Continuous odor control measures have been implemented, such as upgrading the plant to a 100% closed system, sealing leaks in the waste receiving and RDF transfer buildings, installing High Speed Shutter Doors with air curtains and an Air Lock system to prevent odor leakage, and installing a chemical odor treatment system.

Mr. Chatchart added that the building has a total air extraction capacity of 167,000 cubic meters per hour, focusing on areas with strong odors, such as the fermentation and compression equipment. In addition to the gravel and sand separator, five E-NOSE odor monitoring devices have been installed, covering both the plant and surrounding community areas: in front of the waste building, in front of the RDF transfer building, in front of the plant, the Koh Loy community, and the Imperial Park Village. A system for monitoring the flow rate of the generator's exhaust stack and a CEMS board monitor have also been installed to transparently display environmental monitoring results.

Mr. Chatchart further stated that for the 1,000-ton-per-day landfill transfer station, the building has been upgraded to a completely closed system with eight High Speed Shutter Doors and a Wet Scrubber air treatment system with a combined capacity of 60,000 cubic meters per hour to reduce odor and dust dispersion. As for the 600-ton-per-day and 1,000-ton-per-day organic composting plants, the waste receiving buildings, waste pit buildings, and waste storage buildings have been upgraded to a completely closed system with E-NOSE devices, CCTV cameras, and enclosed barriers for recycling storage areas. The landscape has also been improved with additional tree planting. To help reduce the odor impact and increase green space within the waste disposal center.

Mr. Chatchart further stated that the BMA actually fined the irresponsible contractor on June 16-18 and 20, 2022. The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration fined the irresponsible contractor for the waste disposal plant using organic composting methods, with a capacity of 600 tons per day, 12,000 baht per day for 4 days because waste residue was found inside the plant, which violated the contract regarding clause 17.5 of not disposing of waste and waste residue completely on a daily basis. The fine was 12,000 baht per day, which is consistent with what he found during his site inspection on June 17, 2022. After the fine, the plant made improvements in various aspects. The BMA increased green space at the On Nut waste plant by 50,000 trees. Over the past 4 years, the BMA has accelerated the planting of more than 50,000 trees in the On Nut waste plant area. These trees, in addition to increasing green space for the community, also help increase biodiversity. It also helps to filter odors before they or the wind carries them to nearby communities, leading to a decrease in complaints.

Mr. Chatchart further stated that data from complaints received through the Traffy Fondue system shows a significant decrease in complaints from the public through Traffy Fondue in fiscal year 2026 (October 2025-April 2026) compared to fiscal year 2025 (October 2024-September 2025). Comparing the same period of both fiscal years (October-April), complaints decreased from 661 to 323, a reduction of over 51%. He explained that the odor problem is related to wind direction during the northeast monsoon season between November and February, which causes odors to be carried into communities from the west and southwest, combined with stagnant air and low air uplift.

Mr. Chatchart added that this results in odors accumulating closer to the ground. In the future, Bangkok also plans to develop the On Nut waste disposal center into a circular economy innovation center. The project is being developed as part of a large-scale green space project for Bangkok. It will involve a complete redesign, improved management, ecosystem restoration, and a design that ensures equal access for all citizens.

Photo : Yanawut Samphaothong