Today, a car full of friends from our village went over to the next village (Non Sang District) to enjoy the festivities at the village's annual Ban Fai (Rocket Festival).  I was surprised when they came back early, and more surprised to see their silent, serious faces.   By their account, someone had made an unusually large rocket (about 5-6" diameter).  The rocket was launched by accident into a crowd, horizontally.  Carnage ensued with eight severely injured and two dead.  That's all we know at this point.  

Last week, I observed our own village's Ban Fai for the first time.  Crowds of people milling about, even near the launch site, no crowd control, 80% of them drunk, and rockets packed with explosives.  What could possibly go wrong?    Observing the scene, I backed way off.   Luckily, no mishaps; but after today's news, I think I'll steer totally clear of these events down the road.    

RIP to the local victims of today's accident. 

A few years ago in the village , a group of local kids were building a firework in the midday sun . Packing the gunpowder down and it exploded , killing a 16 year old and severely injuring a few others , lost limbs etc .

  Didnt make the news

Found a single news report on a Thai website updated 19:41h

It says it happened around 17:00h (5 PM) today.
One dead, 13 injured (?).

Expect to see some more news coverage tomorrow.

 

Not the first time and not the last as some of those rockets are made unsafe. Saw one once that exploded when it was lit.

It is now in the Issan news.

 

Those rocket festivals can be quite dangerous .... 

Ground control to Major Som

Your circuits dead, there's something wrong

Can you hear me Major Som???

On 6/3/2019 at 12:41 PM, steven100 said:

Those rocket festivals can be quite dangerous .... 

Yesterday a flatbed truck passed by carrying a rocket for a display in our village. I was amazed by its size.  My wife wanted me to attend the festival, I declined her kind offer.