At least four people were killed and 50 others injured in an explosion and fire caused by fireworks at a Chinese New Year celebration presided over by former premier Banharn Silpa-archa in Suphan Buri last night.




Witnesses said the explosion occurred during the Trut Jeen Suphan Buri Pee Thong Mungkorn Sawan (Chinese New Year in Suphan Buri, the Year of the Heavenly Dragon) festival in downtown Suphan Buri.

Dr Surin Prasithiran, Suphan Buri provincial health office chief, said three people were killed instantly. One person later died in a hospital.
About 50 people were injured, three seriously, when debris from a firework display at the provincial City Pillar shrine showered a dense residential community containing hundreds of wooden houses.
Firefighters trying to contain the blaze were unable to enter parts of the area to retrieve the bodies as explosions continued to be heard from within the community. About 30 houses were burned down.
The injured were taken to hospital.
Mr Banharn, the Chartthaipattana Party's de facto leader, presided over the celebration with his brother, Deputy Prime Minister and Chartthaipattana leader Chumpol Silpa-archa. They both escaped unhurt and left the area.
Reports said giant fireworks were set off around 7.30pm. They exploded in mid-air and debris streaked outwards over a dense community located behind the shrine.
Fires quickly ignited and spread rapidly among the packed wooden houses. Many of the fires were still burning out of control late last night.
The fireworks display was broadcast live on Channel 3.
Jongchai Thiengtham, Chartthaipattana's former deputy secretary-general, said he was seated near Mr Banharn and Mr Chumphol about 100 metres from the explosion.
The blast was so loud that he suffered temporary loss of hearing. It also sent spectators fleeing.
He said many of the injured were technicians who prepared the fireworks.

  • Bangkok Post - Published: 25/01/2012