Three Chinese-owned factories were shut down for allegedly processing dangerous chemical waste in Thailand.

The facilities were reportedly extracting hazardous substances including toxic metals like mercury, arsenic, lead, and cadmium, in Prachin Buri province.

The Natural Resources and Environment Crime Division raided the recycling plants on November 3, following reports from locals that they were still operating despite lacking the proper licenses. One of the factories had its license revoked, while the other two had been ordered closed for lack of permits.

Division superintendent Police Colonel Winyu Jamsai said: 'The team found 41.5 tonnes of hazardous substances classified as Type 3 under Thai industrial regulations. The compounds seized include antimony, beryllium, cadmium, lead, selenium, tellurium, and waste contaminated with arsenic, mercury, and thallium.'

The chemicals were reportedly being prepared for export to China.

A Chinese engineer, Zhang, 46, was also arrested for overseeing the operations. He was charged with 'possession of a Category 3 hazardous substance without permission'.

In August, Thai authorities raided Chinese-owned factories smelting illegal aluminium dross deemed harmful to the environment in Nakhon Pathom and Samut Sakhon provinces.

The Natural Resources and Environmental Crime Suppression Division launched the search after Nakhon Pathom Highway Police flagged a truck transporting suspected industrial waste on August 10. The driver reportedly had no documentation, and later led them to the two factories processing the hazardous material.