A family in Non Khun district, Sisaket province, narrowly avoided disaster on 11 July 2026 after their pet dog unknowingly carried a live hand grenade into the front yard, apparently mistaking it for a toy or bone.
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Relatives initially believed the rusty object was a piece of plastic or an old bone. The danger was only recognised when the homeowner returned from hospital and identified it as what appeared to be a grenade with its safety pin still in place.
Realising the potential risk, the homeowner carefully moved the device away from the house before informing the village head, who contacted police and explosive ordnance disposal (EOD) officers.
Bomb disposal specialists identified the device as a Chinese-made TYPE 82-2 fragmentation hand grenade. Although heavily rusted, officers confirmed it remained fully operational and could have exploded if the safety mechanism had been disturbed or if it had received a significant impact.
The grenade was transported to an open field away from the community, where EOD officers carried out a controlled explosion. Officials said the blast created a crater about 30 centimetres deep and 60 centimetres wide, demonstrating that the explosive still retained considerable destructive power despite its condition.
The homeowner said family members had not realised the object was a live grenade while the dog had been chewing on it earlier in the day.
“If the dog had pulled the pin or dropped it hard enough, I can’t imagine what might have happened,” the homeowner said.
District Chief Chaiwat Thammawat said the incident should serve as a reminder to the public, particularly in areas where old military ordnance may still be found. He urged anyone who discovers suspected explosives, ammunition or military objects not to touch or move them, but instead to notify local authorities or police so trained specialists can deal with them safely.
No injuries were reported during the incident, and the grenade was safely destroyed without posing any further danger to nearby residents.
Khaosod reported that as a result of the incident, authorities have again reminded the public to exercise caution if they come across unfamiliar military items, even if they appear old, damaged or heavily rusted. Officials stressed that such devices can remain dangerous for many years and should always be handled by trained EOD personnel.
Picture courtesy of Khaosod
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13 July 2026
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