30-7-2023 (BANGKOK) Following the devastating fireworks explosion at a godown in Sungai Kolok district on Saturday, which left 12 people dead, 121 injured, and nearly 300 houses damaged, about 50 of them completely destroyed, security officials have been ordered to inspect 52 other warehouses in the southern border town of Narathiwat. Lt Gen Santi Sakuntanak, the Internal Security Operations Command chief, stated that it is imperative to examine these warehouses to determine whether they were built with valid permission and were properly used to prevent a recurrence of the incident.
Lt Gen Santi visited a relief center set up on the sports field of the Muno tambon administration organization in Sungai Kolok, where he was briefed on the explosion. He stated that explosive ordnance disposal teams should thoroughly investigate the site of the explosion to determine the quantity of fireworks stored illegally in the warehouse. It was initially believed that at least five tonnes of fireworks had been kept there, based on the two deep holes left at the site by the powerful blast.
The owner of the godown will be charged with recklessness causing deaths and injuries under the Criminal Code and the laws on arms, ammunition, and explosives, stated Pol Maj Gen Anurut Im-ab, the Narathiwat police chief. Pending further investigation, the warehouse owner, who has been summoned to report to the police, may also be charged for violating the Factory Act of 1992 and the Labour Protection Act of 1998.
