Georgealbert

Yes it was storage of ammonium nitrate, commonly used as fertiliser, which had been left for years and had decomposed. Ammonium nitrate is also mixed with fuel oil, to make ANFO, for explosive blasting and terrorist bombs. The big mistake was the storage of the fireworks, which provided the required ignition source for the decomposed ammonium nitrate. Ammonium nitrate is safe if stored and used correctly, but like most disasters a combination of errors, failures and poor decisions caused the explosion, deaths and injuries. This incident will be something like a tank/valve failure, process problem, human error or poor maintenance, things that occur far to often everywhere

Yes you would expect staff involved in using the ammonia, maintenance and supervisors to have some specialist training. But most staff, packagers, bottle fillers, machinists, drivers, office/sales would only get safety training, what do do in an emergency, evacuation procedures and you hope made aware that an ammonia leak would have a pungent smell. Their only contact with ammonia will be walking past the storage tanks.

Yes may cause a slight blip, but I expect the amount of ammonia released will be small and add very little to the other pollution already present. The reporting and pictures look dramatic, but any emergency response has to be based on worse case scenario,, first setting up an initial evacuation zone, then evacuation of people downwind of the vapour cloud, depending on the chemical. I very much doubt that a full evacuation was anywhere near completed, before the leak was either contained or all the ammonia had been released. Looking at some of the pictures water spray was used to control and disperse the vapours at the factory. Thankfully it is reported only minor injuries, so a good, successful response by the emergency response services.

Now the US Department of Transportation watchdog has said it is auditing the FAA’s oversight of Boeing. “The FAA has long been criticised for reportedly giving in to Boeing’s demands of relaxing some safety requirements and allowing the company to conduct its own inspections.” https://www.semafor.com/article/04/17/2024/department-of-transportation-investigating-faa-oversight-on-boeing

It is not considered a high risk industry. I agree that Thailand could do with better zoning, but even then, you are not going to remove all the hazards and risks. Yes accidents occur, but it would be impossible to separate all commercial processes and residential areas, in Thailand or most countries. “Ammonia is used in wastewater treatment, leather, rubber, paper, food and beverage industries. It also is used in cold storage, refrigeration systems and in the production of pharmaceuticals. Ammonia is used in the printing as well as cosmetics industries. It is also used in fermentation.”

Great comment

Ammonia is used as a refrigerant gas and in the purification of water. It is corrosive, toxic and flammable. “Ammonia is also flammable at concentrations of approximately 15% to 28% by volume in air. When mixed with lubricating oils, its flammable concentration range is increased. It can explode if released in an enclosed space with a source of ignition present, or if a vessel containing anhydrous ammonia is exposed to fire.” The company and local emergency responders put into action the correct emergency action plan after the explosion. Proving again you lack of knowledge and understand, but you choose to call me “Troll with an (sic) kids fire helmet” in another thread. Please highlight where my posts are not factual or wrong?

5555555 So as expected, zero constructive input, just more loud mouth Thai bashing, name calling comments! Such a big man, so thin-skinned, has to put me on ignore, for calling out your ill informed, unqualified rant. Bye and try to have a good day.

Boeing whistleblower calls for 787 production to stop ahead of Senate hearing. Boeing’s response is that there were zero findings of fatigue in 787. https://www.aerotime.aero/articles/boeing-whistlblower-sam-salehpour-dreamliner

Very little details on what caused the explosion at this stage, hopefully no serious injuries and more details will follow. Seems good procedures to evacuate a wide area, as ammonia is harmful if inhaled or swallowed, can cause lung injury (effects may be delayed). It is corrosive to the eyes, skin and respiratory tract. Can cause permanent eye injury or blindness, and permanent scarring of the skin, depending on exposure. Ammonia is lighter than air, so natural dispersal will occur, and so no chance of build up in low areas. Below for comparison, is an example of the size of the risk/exposure area (i have not used ice factory location). This is from using an emergency hazmat response app, Wiser.

Senate hearing, lawmakers say Boeing avoided accountability over economic concerns. https://thehill.com/business/4600654-lawmakers-say-boeing-avoided-accountability-due-to-economic-concerns/ Boeing Critic Says He Shared Missing-Bolt Records With FBI https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2024-04-17/boeing-critic-says-he-shared-missing-737-bolt-records-with-fbi Boeing whistleblower calls for 787 production to stop ahead of Senate hearing https://www.aerotime.aero/articles/boeing-whistlblower-sam-salehpour-dreamliner

There was previously translation services available at Trendy, but are you aware that VFS/passport services have moved, new address below. No idea what is available at new office. VFS (Thailand) Ltd. The Shoppes at Belle Grand Rama 9, 131/1, Unit BS003 – BS003/1, 1st Floor, Rama 9, Huay Kwang, Bangkok, 10310 Thailand.

Found a 2017 research study on body donation to KKU, not sure if this has changed, but found little else for KKU online. “As KKU has the only Body Donation Unit in Isan, cadavers and skeletons are supplied to the other Isan institutions teaching medicine or allied health sciences (Ubon Ratchathani University, Mahasarakham University and Suranaree University of Technology), one University in northern Thailand (Phayao), and occasionally institutes in other areas of Thailand” “Body donation at KKU is administered by the Body Donation Unit in the Department of Anatomy. Bequests are now accepted from the age of 18 years and donations are also accepted from next-of-kin at the time of death on a case-by-case basis. Donors are accepted only from the Isan region, both for logistical reasons and because this area provides sufficient donations to meet demand“ “Registration as a donor involves completion of an application form that must be witnessed and includes details of the person, usually next-of-kin, who will take responsibility for informing the Body Donation Unit of the donor’s death. Registration will not be accepted if the donor is suffering from a communicable disease, has anatomical defects such as a missing limb, has suffered severe injury in the past or weighs less than 40 kg or more than 100 kg. When a registered donor dies, it is the responsibility of the next-of-kin to inform the department, as the Body Donation Unit does not monitor the deaths of registered donors. Once a report of death is received, the Unit takes responsibility for retrieval of the body. Ideally this will occur within 24 h, although the department may agree to allow the family to retain the body for up to three days with the proviso that it be kept cold.” https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0940960217301504

Each hospital will have a policy of what bodies they will accept. Below is an example from Bangkok, Mahidol University. The Uk Embassy’s procedures are on this site and before a body is released the embassy will need to issue a letter of release. All deaths in Thailand need to be signed off by a police investigator, before the Amphur will register the death and issue a certificate. Many times the police are unwilling to sign anything without a post mortem. If a person dies in hospital from a known long term illness, it is sometimes possible to avoid the post mortem. Hospitals generally don’t want a body after a post mortem. I wish you and him luck finding a hospital that will accept the body, but I would suggest having a plan B, for a simple cremation if you do not find one.

Can you get me an invite next year, only rich granny please, that can look after me. 555555

555555 Third chuckle of this week, no problem, blame the heat and Songkran like many other posters.

Yes agree, it is a simple process. I did mention have her image taken.55555

Sorry the only one I have experience of is linked below, but maybe too far. https://www.mityongroup.com/drivingschool/ This is at Bang Saray, and a friend used it, no previous experience, 15 hours to complete everything, then had to get license at DOT office. He said it was ok and some staff spoke English and were helpful. There are a few others around, including next to Bangkok Pattaya Hospital, but I know no-one who has used them.

Sorry but have you asked your wife? I can not believe an adult Thai dies not know how to get a new ID card, or have no friend she could ask. In Pattaya, you can go to either Bang lumang District Office, on the Sukhumvit Road. https://maps.app.goo.gl/puoXivhdovvo5cva7?g_st=il Or Pattaya City Hall, North Pattaya Road. Get a queue ticket number, scan her finger prints into the computer, have her image taken, pay (was about 100 baht), wait and collect new card.

Don’t think you will get a reply, think it must be this hot weather enhancing their grumpy old men, Dunning Kruger syndrome. I am just back from visiting Thai friends at Wat Suthawas Songkran day, Pattaya area. The area was crowded with all ages, from young children to senior grand parents, all getting wet, doing a local Thai tradition. I asked my friend if anyone disliked this event and all I got was a strange look, to say why would they. There were very few non- Thai, but the ice cold water, powder and beer was flowing in much the same way as outside the bars on Pattaya beach. If I wanted to avoid Songkran it would be easy, but I would not come on here and moan and make silly claims that millions of Thais’ dislike it.

Why? I use location for, ordering a taxi, following directions on maps. finding what I need close to me, locating other family members devices if misplaced, order food or coffee, use it with my fitness app, easy to find where I am in an emergency, sending my location to others trying to find me, work applications including being able to identify logistics I needed near me and in crisis management situations was invaluable. Wifi off, seems you are a bit more paranoid than me, but each to their own, please do not try to persuade me to change, I am not buying any tin foil. 555555

Sorry if I misread or misunderstood your comment, not anger, just like to speak straight. I think Thailand is changing, and that change will only be driven by Thais’ themself. The Mountain B fire was a tragedy, but even if had been inspected, I don’t how it would have prevented the loss of lives. The inflammable wall coverings were required for sound insulation and maybe even the supplier was unaware of the dangers it posed. Station night club fire,USA, happened in the same circumstances. The deaths at Mountain B, were caused by the smoke explosion (backdraft) where the customers were caught in superheated smoke and flames. Sadly I have seen the pictures of the victims, on the main exit route and the toilets, and it clearly shows massive flash burns over the bodies, but not deep burns, like you would expect if the body had a long fire exposure. I am still interested in anyones views on how their think safety can, should or needs to be improved in this area, but how that would be realistically achieved. Again apologises if I misunderstood you reply.

So funny, you think my post was trolling? Do you even understand the word? I will ask you the same question I asked the poster you replied to, as I am interested to be educated. Details I am looking for; 1. What inspections should have taken place? 2. Who should have done the inspections? 3. What experience and qualifications would you expect the inspector to have? 4. How often should these inspections take place? 5. Should the inspection be life safety or property protection types of inspections? 6. What minimum standards would you expect to find on electrical devices? 7. How would you expect them to test any coverings or insulation found? 8. What legislation and regulations under the Thai criminal code or building codes would allow enforcement? 9. Which department do you think should be issuing licenses to these premises? 10. Should the premises have to show valid insurance during an inspection, and should that insurance company also inspect? 11. What suitable fire safety guidance would be best suited, NFPA, BS, EU, IFC, IFSS, etc.? 12. What types of premises should receive these inspections? 13. Should all premises have their own fire risk management plans? 14.Should all staff receive suitable training on what do if a fire occurs, fire extinguishers, means of escape, raising the alarm, etc.? 15. In additional to safety inspections, do you expect the local fire services to do operational inspections? Not expecting answers to all, but it would be good some good constructive ideas and not just bland statements on ‘focus and monitoring’ or claims of ‘not the real owner’. I am sure no one wants to see fire deaths, but how far is anyone expecting safety standards to go? Many places I have visited in Pattaya, are in my view not safe, and I never stay, but I would never consider or expect the standards to meet my own country. Even with good fire safety standards, building regulations, licensing laws, and regular inspections, the UK still has fires

Boeing reported to have severed ties with the lobbying firm ,Cornerstone Government Affairs, who were involved In 737 max 8 crisis management. Does this affect Boeing’s clout in Washington, ahead of today’s Senate hearing. https://www.benzinga.com/markets/equities/24/04/38268829/boeing-severes-ties-with-lobbying-firm-involved-in-737-max-crisis-management-report

So funny being called a dummy by you, forget the meds, maybe carry a plant with you always, to help replace the oxygen. So you think it is funny or amusing , that 25 people died in a fire and the only thing that comes into your head is a song? So you think I should ignore you, is that your aim? Trying posting something that is constructive or shows some critical thinking or stick in the pub forum. Bye and have a good day, as I will be.