The standalone factory towers over neighbouring shrimp farms near the coast of central Thailand. Battered layers of old phones litter the ground by its gate, and other electronic items bearing Dell, Motorola and Verizon logos pile up inside.

Ms Chonipa Singkorn, whose shrimp pond in Samut Prakan province is on one side of the factory, dismissed it initially despite having to hold her breath when walking past because of the smell of what she thought was burning plastic.