Educational Information Only
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HSA Section 54 — Powers of competent officials
Hazardous Substances Act (พระราชบัญญัติวัตถุอันตราย) — Section 54.
Plain-English Summary
Competent officials may enter premises used for dealing in, producing or storing hazardous substances (or suspected of being so used) between sunrise and sunset or during the premises' working hours, and enter vehicles carrying or suspected of carrying hazardous substances, to inspect the substances, containers, account books and documents; take reasonable samples; search, hold, seize or attach substances, containers, books, documents and related items where an offence is suspected; and summon people to give statements or produce documents. Officials must show their identity card (Section 56). Seized items that spoil, or whose keeping risks damage or danger or costs too much, may be destroyed or otherwise dealt with (Section 55), and items not liable to forfeiture must be returned without delay. Failing to give reasonable facilitation is an offence (Section 86). Section 53 is repealed (the 2008 amendment's explanatory note records the removal of officials' arrest power).
Official Text
Official Thai text at the Royal Gazette / Office of the Council of State. Translation summary only.
Consult official sourceParent Statute
Hazardous Substances Act
พระราชบัญญัติวัตถุอันตราย · B.E. 2535 (1992)
The Hazardous Substances Act B.E. 2535 (1992) regulates hazardous substances (explosives, flammables, toxic, radioactive, corrosive and other harmful substances) from production, import, export, transit and possession through sale, transport, storage and disposal, the last of these controlled by ministerial notifications. A Hazardous Substances Committee chaired by the Minister of Industry advises, and the responsible agency for each substance is designated by Gazette notification under Section 18 paragraph 2 and Section 19, so several agencies may administer different substances. Substances fall into four types: Type 1 must follow prescribed rules, Type 2 requires prior notification, Type 3 requires a licence, and Type 4 is prohibited except for written-permission use as a laboratory reference standard (Section 43) or a ministerial exemption (Section 44). The Act also covers registration, advertising, official inspection and seizure powers, civil liability for damage, and criminal penalties.
The summary above is a plain-English educational paraphrase of Section 54 of the Hazardous Substances Act. It is not an authoritative translation. For the binding Thai text, consult the Royal Gazette or the Office of the Council of State. Educational use only — not a substitute for advice from a Thai-qualified lawyer.
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