Dept tightens cyanide rules

The Department of Industrial Works (DIW) has announced a new measure demanding importers, retailers and business owners who use cyanide to report their stocks in real-time to the department.

The regulation will take effect on June 15, said DIW director Jullapong Thaveesri. Small metal plants will be exempted as they are required to report to the DIW every three months. The department has also banned any online sales or advertisements for cyanide.

Mr Jullapong said the DIW would suspend the licence allowing companies or factories to own cyanide if a business loses the deadly chemical and is unable to declare where it is.

Those who misuse the compound will face up to three years in jail or 300,000 baht in fines, he added.

Six cyanide importers have registered with the DIW to date, he said.