AYUTTHAYA — Police here are investigating who dumped about two tonnes of unused, unpacked condoms a field in Bang Ban district before setting them on fire.
The burning rubbers were discovered late Sunday when local residents in Moo 2 village of tambon Maha Brahma alerted firefighters to blaze in the vast field near Irrigation Canal Road.
Authorities clear piles of unsued condoms mysteriously dumped by unidentified people on a field in Ayutthaya's Bang Ban district. (Photo by Sunthon Pongpao)
Almost half of the unbranded condoms were destroyed in the fire. They came in different colours and thought to be counterfeight merchandise infringing on copyrights, Bang Ban police investigator Supoj Pengsawarng said. A couple of the prophylactics were packaged with the brand name "New-Silk".
New Silk-brand condoms are manufactured by Okamoto Industries of Japan. The company operates an office in Pathum Thani.
Pol Lt Col Supoj said witnesses had seen an Isuzu pickup truck being driven into the field shortly before the fire was reported.
Wicha Jaikla, mayor of tambon Maha Brahma municipality, said a legal representative had filed a complaint with local police against the offenders for dumping "hazardous waste" without permission. The condoms were cleared from the field and would be eradicated in the pollution-free incineration process, he added.