Lopburi Blasts Under Control

[george]

Arsenal blasts under control

LOPBURI: -- Explosions and fires at an army depot in Lop Buri's Muang district were put under control about an hour after they erupted in about 8pm. People were evacuated in Lop Buri province after an army arsenal burst in flames on Tuesday evening.

Pol Lt Col Ek Angsananont, a provincial police chief said that fire fighters and bomb disposal squads could put under control the blazes and the blasts at the army depot.

Forensic officers were sent into the area to investigate the cause of the explosions, he said.

The blasts erupted at the depot in Muang district at about 8pm, thundering sounds were heard and flames engulfed the area.

Lt Gen Theerawat Boonyapradab, commander of the army's ordnance department, said earlier that bomb disposal squads were sent into the depot to stop the blasts.

Lop Buri authorities deployed more fire fighters into the areas to put out the huge fires that engulfed the arsenal.

"As of now, there is not known yet what caused the explosions. The depot is used to stock several kinds of ammunitions and explosives and it was constructed properly and meet the standard.

People and soldiers who lived in the area and monks at a nearby temple were evacuated. Fire fighters were struggling to put out the blaze.

The depot is used to stock old explosives transported from Nonthaburi province.

-- The Nation 2007-04-24

[bkkandrew]

Yep. Much to the angst of the g/f, the special edition soap showing on channel 7 was just interrupted by Gen. Sonthi giving his "insight" into the blast - the summation was - he had no idea!

Edited April 24, 2007 by bkkandrew

[lingling]

Forensic officers were sent into the area to investigate the cause of the explosions, he said.

So... someone has been stealing munitions and want to cover it up..?

[Mid]

about that nuclear power station ................................................

[Mid]

opps

Edited April 24, 2007 by Mid

[Farma]

[quote

The depot is used to stock old explosives transported from Nonthaburi province.

Hmm i wonder if this may have something to do with it.

[bkkandrew]

about that nuclear power station ................................................

Official CNS Answer: But that would be totally different because we have learnt the lesson, security guards will be increased blah blah blah...

Real Answer: Fingers crossed they don't misfire their new rocket at the plant!

[macular]

Same incident happened in Lopburi in 1988.

The blast in the ammo depot continued for days.

[hkt83100]

Same incident happened in Lopburi in 1988.

Don't forget Pak Chong a few years ago...

[CSS]

Yep. Much to the angst of the g/f, the special edition soap showing on channel 7 was just interrupted by Gen. Sonthi giving his "insight" into the blast - the summation was - he had no idea!

Yes, they interrupted the show several times but never really said anything new. Basically, they would interrupt the show to say that the explosions occurred because it was too hot that day and that they knew local residents were confident that there wouldn't be another blast because they were already returning to their homes.

[Jai Dee]

Army Chief believes hot weather to blame for ordnance depot explosion

The Commander in Chief of the Army believes hot weather is responsible for a recent explosion at an Army ordnance depot yesterday (April 24).

Army Commander in Chief Gen Sonthi Boonyaratkrin revealed that an explosion occured at an Army Ordnance depot in tambon Khao Phra Ngam (เขาพระนาม) in the muang district of Lop Buri province late last night (April 24). He affirmed that officials have taken control of the situation and are investigating the cause of the explosion. Gen Sonthi himself believes hot weather is to blame for self ignition of ammunition rounds, leading to a series of explosions in Ordnance Depot 1 and 2 in Khao Phra Ngam.

The Army Commander in Chief said that such incidents are not uncommon, adding that Army personnel had taken necessary precautions in storing live ordnance. He believes improved air ventilation and cooling systems should be installed at all Army Ordnance depots nationwide to prevent future explosions.

Gen Sonthi asked local Lop Buri residents to remain calm .

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 25 April 2007

[gusG]

Who needs insurgents, when you've got the Thai army, trying to blow themselves up ?

Edited April 25, 2007 by gusG

[astral]

Guards smoking on duty........

I hope our esteemed Moderator of the same name was not injured.

[Jai Dee]

Army affirms recent explosion at ordnance depot will not affect local residents

The Royal Thai Army affirms that explosions which occured at an Army ordnance depot in Lop Buri province would not affect local residents.

Authorities report that an explosion occured at the Royal Thai Army's Section 1 and 2 Ordnance Depot Division in Khao Phra Ngam (เขาพระงาม) of Lop Buri province at 20:20 last night (April 24). The depot houses ammunition and explosive ordnance and is under the direct responsibility of the Royal Thai Army's Ordnance Regiment.

Deputy Royal Thai Army Spokesperson Col Sirichan Nathong(ศิริจันทร์ นาทอง), revealed that the Director General of the Royal Thai Army's Ordnance Department, Lt Gen Theerawat Boonpradap (ธีรวัฒน์ บุญประดับ), has taken charge of the matter and the situation is now under control. She affirmed that the Khao Phra Ngam Ordnance Depot Division is a restricted area, and has been placed at a remote location according to Army specifications.

The Deputy Royal Thai Army Spokesperson said that no civilian or military casualties have been reported, and that there was no cause for alarm. Army officials have instructed demolition experts to enter the area and defuse live ordnance. Col Sirichan added that the cause of the explosion is still under investigation.

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 25 April 2007

[seagull]

Army Chief believes hot weather to blame for ordnance depot explosion

The Commander in Chief of the Army believes hot weather is responsible for a recent explosion at an Army ordnance depot yesterday (April 24).

Army Commander in Chief Gen Sonthi Boonyaratkrin revealed that an explosion occured at an Army Ordnance depot in tambon Khao Phra Ngam (เขาพระนาม) in the muang district of Lop Buri province late last night (April 24). He affirmed that officials have taken control of the situation and are investigating the cause of the explosion. Gen Sonthi himself believes hot weather is to blame for self ignition of ammunition rounds, leading to a series of explosions in Ordnance Depot 1 and 2 in Khao Phra Ngam.

The Army Commander in Chief said that such incidents are not uncommon, adding that Army personnel had taken necessary precautions in storing live ordnance. He believes improved air ventilation and cooling systems should be installed at all Army Ordnance depots nationwide to prevent future explosions.

Gen Sonthi asked local Lop Buri residents to remain calm .

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 25 April 2007

Aah! I see, army intelligence did not inform Sonthi that this time of the year is hot hot hot as in every year. And I too believe that proper air vent and cooling systems should be installed as in all ordnance depot worldwide. Any dick would knows that, except that clown.

[seagull]

Who needs insurgents, when you've got the Thai army, trying to blow themselves up ?

.

[Jai Dee]

Munitions dumps explode

Explosions at two Army munitions dumps in Lop Buri's Muang district last night caused a resounding 30 minutes of continuous blasts but no casualties.

The cause of the blasts was not known but Army commander General Sonthi Boonyarat-glin later said the hot weather had been the cause and dismissed speculation of sabotage. Extensive examination of both sites has yet to be carried out.

The first explosion took place at around 8pm at a dump storing small-arms munitions owned by the Army's Ordnance Department. The fire and the heat later triggered explosions at a nearby dump with a stockpile of rockets and large explosives, owned by the Army's Aviation Centre.

Lt-General Theerawat Boonya-pradab, commander of the Army's Ordnance Department, said bomb disposal squads were sent into the depot to limit the damage but had to wait until the explosions stopped. No estimate of the damage was available last night.

Hundreds of military families residing near both the ammunition dumps, and civilians living in nearby areas, were evacuated. There are no reports of damage to property.

The worst explosion at an ammunitions dump occurred in Nakhon Ratchasima's Pak Chong area in 2001, when 17 people were killed.

Source: The Nation - 25 April 2007

[vermin on arrival]

Yeah, yeah right. The hot weather causes the ammo dump to explode. More likely some high up officers are indulging in illegal arms and ammo sales and smuggling which is rife in the region and trying to cover the evidence. No we didn't sell the arms; they were all blown up sir.

They say this is the 2nd time for Lopburi. You had Pak Chong. I was there when an arsenal blew up near Aranyaprathet about 5 years ago. I wouldn't be suprised if some of those arms eventually work their way around to the insurgents in the South.

I'm reading a book about the history of the Serbs now and it spends a long time discussing the war in Bosnia. Apparently corruption was so rife there that illegal arms selling was going on constantly. The Bosnian Serbs would sell weapons from the old JNA to the Croats, whom they were temporarily at peace with in one region, the Croats would sell them to the Muslims, and then the weapons would be turned back around and used against the Serbs.

[Jai Dee]

Heat, phosphorus leak cause arsenal blasts, says army chief

Thai Army commander-in chief Gen. Sonthi Boonyaratkalin said Wednesday that explosions at ammunition depots in a military base in this central province on Tuesday were probably caused by excessive heat or leaks of weapons-grade phosphorus.

Gen. Sonthi, also serves as chairman of the Council for National Security, offered his explanation after boarding a helicopter with army experts inspecting the scene Wednesday morning and investigating to determine the actual cause of the blasts.

A series of explosions hit the ammunition depots, regarded as the army's largest arsenal complex, at a military base at in Khao Mai Ngam, a subdistrict near the town of Lopburi, about 150 kilometres north of Bangkok, at around 8 pm Tuesday and were put under control about two hours later.

No casualties were reported, but the blasts prompted more than 1,000 persons, including military personnel, their families and nearby local residents to evacuate from their homes for the night. Most, however, returned to their homes after the army confirmed the safety of the area.

Attributing Tuesday's explosions to the heat, Gen. Sonthi said it was extremely hot during the day, with temperatures of 40 degrees Celsius.

Another possible cause was the leak of white phosphorus, a chemical used in some types of ammunition. The leaked substance caught fire in the heat and may have caused other munitions to explode.

Initially, the explosions caused damage estimated at Bt400,000, said the army chief.

Following the incident, Gen. Sonthi said the army would improve its safety measures at ammunition depots nationwide to prevent similar incidents from happening again.

The army chief said he would forward the results of the investigation of the causes of the blasts to the interim government.

Source: TNA - 25 April 2007

[mpdkorat]

Same incident happened in Lopburi in 1988.

Don't forget Pak Chong a few years ago...

Yes that was a big one and I believe only two or three people were killed, a miracle really. They were apparently moving old munitions around when they exploded setting off a chain event that caused dame to buildings for miles around.

[pampal]

Army Intelligence

[JimsKnight]

Reminds me of a story I heard about the some US army instructors at Lopburi getting drunk one night and then throwing hand grenades into the barracks lake and then watching the fish fly out! Boom! The Thai CO was not impressed!

[vermin on arrival]

Are lingling and I the only ones who feel that this whole explanation of heat/phosphorous leak hard to believe/a cover up?

I mean this is the 5th explosion of a thai ammunition dump that I've heard of, 4 of which have occured while I've lived here. That in a region that has been rife with the illegal arms trade.

Edited April 25, 2007 by vermin on arrival

[Farma]

It’s not hard to believe. These things happen in other countries too.

Only last week I was talking to a work colleague who has worked in bomb dumps and EOD for many years. He explained some of the dangers that they deal with. Leaking explosives came at the top of his list of things to be worried about.

This news article mentioned the base stored life expired munitions so the explanation on the cause appears plausable.

[macular]

It's not hard to believe. These things happen in other countries too.

Only last week I was talking to a work colleague who has worked in bomb dumps and EOD for many years. He explained some of the dangers that they deal with. Leaking explosives came at the top of his list of things to be worried about.

This news article mentioned the base stored life expired munitions so the explanation on the cause appears plausable.

True enough.

Could be a "B4" (expired) stockpile awaiting disposal.

It is difficult to ascertain the cause most of the time.

Heat/fire is one of the very big threat to trigger explosion.

Here are the cases in LOS since 2000:

25 Oct. 01, Korat (Pak Chong), 19 dead, 90 injured, Possible cause: Handling / propellant auto-ignition

29 Jan. 02, Pak Chong, Possible cause: Unstable ammunition awaiting destruction

28 Mar. 02, Aranyaprathet, 5 injured, Possible cause: Propellant auto-ignition

Was told that the Lop Buri 1988 ammo dump explosion was due to heat as well.

You've got to be there to realise what "HOT" means during the really hot season.

[vermin on arrival]

Having lived here for the last ten years, I do realize what "hot" is during the thai summer, especially upcountry. Bangkok is cool compared to what it is like up there. I was just up in Aran at the beginning of the month and I was cooking when I was outside.

However, I also realize the level of corruption that exists in this country. The last I looked it ranked 61st in levels of corruption. That doesn't mean that that is necessarily what is going on, but it does make one skeptical(or maybe it's just me). Although the military has a better reputation than the police, I'm sure it has its fair share of problems. Just look at the all of the corruption scandals they have with the procurement of millitary equipment.

It would also be a convenient way to hide the illegal selling of military equipment.

Edited April 25, 2007 by vermin on arrival

[Jai Dee]

Army Chief believes explosion at Army depot not act of terrorism

The Commander in Chief of the Army affirms that an explosion which occured at an Army ordnance depot in Lop Buri province was not an act of terrorism.

Army Commander in Chief Gen Sonthi Boonyaratkrin, in his capacity as Chairman of the Council for National Security (CNS), revealed that from his inspection of an Army ordnance depot in Lop Buri province which recently exploded, he will be urging Army officials to increase safety measures in storing live ordnance rounds.

Gen Sonthi said that the incident was an accident, and affirmed that there are no signs indicating acts of terrorism. The Prime Minister has been given a full report into the matter. The Army Commander in Chief said that an investigation would be conducted into whether local Army depot personnel complied with safety regulations.

Gen Sonthi added that he has instructed all in-efficient ordnance rounds to be destroyed.

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 26 April 2007

[Jai Dee]

Checks ordered on munitions dumps after blasts

An inspection of the Army's weapons and munitions stockpiles across the country was ordered yesterday in the wake of explosions at two Lop Buri munitions dumps on Tuesday night.

Army chief General Sonthi Boonyaratglin gave the order. He asked officials to focus especially on depots storing old munitions, after an internal report that bombs and ordnance stored at the two dumps were over 30 years old.

"The munitions should have been destroyed long ago. But since Thailand is a poor country, it seems OK to continue storing old US-made munitions, long out of commission by the US Army," Sonthi said.

He said the damage caused by the explosions on Tuesday night was around Bt480,000.

The Army chief apologised to people living near the two dumps for the loud explosions.

Sonthi confirmed the Army's initial assumption that the blasts were caused by excessive heat. He also ordered water to be sprayed on all major munitions dumps in Nakhon Sawan, Ratchaburi and Nakhon Ratchasima as an ad-hoc measure to reduce the temperature in such facilities.

However, Sonthi did not explain why the explosions occurred at 8pm, when the temperature was much lower than earlier in the day.

Guards on duty saw flames break out at one of the dumps and attempted - unsuccessfully - to put out the fire using extinguishers.

The general said the Army had maintained the high standards for storage of munitions, but the latest explosions in Lop Buri would spur a rethink on more frequent and strict disposal of old ordnance.

In Chiang Mai, five munitions dumps in Fort Kavila, where the 7th Infantry Regiment is based, will be soon relocated to a safer site, further from residential areas - and a fuel storage facility, located just 200 metres across the street.

Maj-General Natthaphat Somboonsri, chief of a local Army precinct command, said water and foam would be sprayed on the five dumps whenever the temperature was higher than 40 C, as ordered by the Army chief.

Source: The Nation - 26 April 2007